Category: NBA

Utah Jazz Crush the Kings In Season Finale 121-99

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The Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) throws down on the Sacramento Kings at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Sun May 16, 2021 (AP News photo)

Utah Jazz Crush the Kings In Season Finale 121-99

By Barbara Mason

Sunday evening the Sacramento Kings took on the first place Utah Jazz. It has been a very long season for the team and now they find themselves playing in their last game of the 2020-21. They will be playing for pride and the chance to knock the Jazz out of top seed position.

Sacramento will take the court in this final game of the season without De’Aaron Fox, Harrison Barnes and Tyrese Haliburton. Taking on the Jazz without these guys was a huge challenge.

The Kings played a good first quarter and led at the end of it 28-25. The Jazz were just getting warmed up and at the half led 64-49. Utah was just getting warmed up.

By the end of the third quarter the Jazz had complete control of this game leading 97-73 Utah was cruising and it was easy to see why this team is the number one seed in the Western Conference.

The Jazz finished off the Kings in the fourth quarter sailing to a 121-99 win. The Jazz will head off into the playoffs and the Kings will focus on where the team is headed next season.

Damian Jones had the high score for the Kings finishing with 19 points. Buddy Hield had 13. Terence Davis had 20 points off the bench playing 32 minutes.

The season may be over for the Sacramento Kings but the future of so many of their players remains bright. I really see an improved Kings in the 2021-2022 season. I predict more than 31 wins, a whole lot more, as well as a breakthrough into next year’s playoffs.

Barbara Mason, Jeremiah Salmonson, Charlie O, Ana Kieu, Marko Ukalovic, and Tony Renteria covered, podcasted, or analyzed the Sacramento Kings for the 2021 season for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Curry pours in 46 points leads W’s to sixth win in a row 113-101

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The Golden State Warriors forward Kent Bazemore offers guard Stephen Curry a drink to cool off from his 46 point night against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sun May 16, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors (39-33) played the final game of the regular season Sunday afternoon at the Chase Center in San Francisco against the Memphis Grizzlies (38-34). The teams were tied with identical season records 38-33. The winner of the game would be the eighth team in the Western Conference.

The loser would be the ninth. In the new NBA play-in format, the eighth team plays the number seven. The winner of that game becomes the number seven seed and will face the second-best team in the conference in the first round of the playoffs.

The loser will face the winner of the game between number nine and number ten. The loser of that game is done for the season. The winner meets the loser of number eight or number seven. The winner then becomes the eighth seed and faces the team with the best record. The whole play-in formula sounds confusing, but after Sunday’s game, things are a bit clearer. The Warriors helped explain what will happen as they beat the Grizzlies 113-101.

The Warriors, led by Stephen Curry, had to find a way to slow down the Grizzlies in the fourth quarter. The Warriors ended the third quarter leading by 17, 86-69. The Grizzlies had bottled up Curry in the first half. They held him to 13 points, and they trailed at the end of the first half, 55-49. Curry came to life in the third quarter when he put 17 points on the board. The Warriors seemed to be on their way to an easy victory.

However, the Warriors have to be wary of a fourth-quarter letdown. The Grizzlies’ young star, Dillon Brooks, went on a personal 8-0 run to make it 86-77 game. Curry made a three and a deuce to put the W up 91-79. The Grizzlies put their offense into overdrive as they continued to put points on the board while stopping the Warriors on defense.

They tied the game at 91-91, finishing a 22-5 run. The question at this point was this: can the Warriors regroup and find a way to win? The question was answered when Dillon Brooks fouled Draymond Green. Brooks, who covered Curry like a blanket, was gone.

Green made the two free throws to make it 93-91. Memphis responded by going ahead 97-95. The Warriors’ Jordan Poole started a 14-0 run with a three. Andrew Wiggins scored to give the Warriors the lead 100-97. Curry showed the Grizzlies why he is the best shooter in the game. Curry made three consecutive threes to give Golden State a 12-point lead 109-97. The Grizzlies were toast. They could not catch Golden State. The Warriors win 113-101.

Game Notes and Stats: The Warriors will face either the Portland Trailblazers or the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday night. A Laker loss and a Portland win will send the Warriors to Portland. If the Lakers win, the Warriors will face the Lakers at the Staples Center. If the Warriors win the play-in game, they will be the seventh seed. If they lose, they will host the winner of the game between Memphis and San Antonio for the eighth seed.

Curry joined Michael Jordan as the only two players 33 years or older to win the NBA scoring title. Curry finished the season with an average of 31.8 points per game. Curry finished the night with 46 points. It was the 11th game this season with 40 or more points. It was the 38th game with 30 or more points. 

Curry had help from Green, Andrew Wiggins, Jordan Poole, and Juan Toscano-Anderson. Green’s line was 14 points, nine boards, and nine assists. He almost had a triple-double. Wiggins had a double-double- with 21 points and ten rebounds. Wiggins continued to be consistent on both ends of the court.

Poole had 15. The Warriors shot almost 50% from the floor. They connected on 15 threes. Curry knocked down nine of the 15 threes. Quite a performance for the two-time NBA MVP. The Warriors outrebounded the taller Grizzlies 52-48. The Warriors recorded 26 assists on 41 made field goals. The only ugly stat was the 19 turnovers.

The Grizzlies’ Jonas Valenciunas paced his club with 29 points and 16 rebounds. Dillon Brooks had 18, Ja Morant 16, Kyle Anderson 10, and Jaren Jackson 14. The Grizzlies shot 43% from the floor, and they made six threes in 25 attempts.

The Warriors won their sixth game in a row to finish the season 39-33. The Grizzlies are 38-34. The Warriors’ next game is Wednesday night, either in Portland or Los Angeles.

Warriors hang on to slip by Pelicans 125-122; Poole leads with 38 points for W’s

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The Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole (3) shoots against the New Orleans Pelicans guard Eric Bledsoe (right) and center Willy Hermangomez bottom at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Fri May 14, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors (38-33) won their fifth straight game, downing the New Orleans Pelicans (31-40) 125-122 Friday night at the Chase Center. The Warriors currently reside in eighth place in the Western Conference. The Memphis Grizzlies, with the same record as the Warriors, meet on Sunday to determine which team will be the number eight team.

A loss to the Pelicans and a Grizzlie win Friday night would not have changed the importance of Sunday’s game. The Warriors’ head coach, Steve Kerr, decided to rest his three best players Friday night. Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Andrew Wiggins watched the game from the bench.

The Pelicans, in 11th place in the conference, were eliminated from the playoffs last week. Their head coach, Stan Van Gundy, rested Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Steve Adams. Zion Williamson broke his finger last week in the second game against the Warriors, and he is done for the year.

Jordan Poole and Mychal Mulder were in the starting lineup at the guard position. Juan Toscano-Anderson was the other bench player getting a starting assignment. The teams played a very fast-paced and entertaining first quarter. Mychal Mulder was channeling Curry as he knocked down five threes in the first quarter. Jordan Poole paced the Warrior offense with 14 points. The Warriors outscored the Pelicans 41-32 at the end of the first 12 minutes of action.

The Warriors continued to shoot well from the floor. Kent Bazemore, along with Nico Mannion, helped keep the pressure on the Pelican defense. The Warriors outscored the Pelicans 34-25 in the quarter to finish the first half leading 75-57. Mychal Mulder made his sixth three of the game in the quarter and finished the first half with 20 points. Jordan Poole led the team with 24.

Kent Bazemore had 13, and Nico Mannion added nine. The Warriors shot 60% from the floor. Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Pelicans with 11. Willy Herangomez had 10, Eric Bledsoe 9, and Jaxson Hayes 7. The Pelicans shot 45% from the floor.

The Pelicans coach, Stan Van Gundy, must have had a heart-to-heart talk with his team about playing defense during the halftime break. The Pelicans turned the tables on the Warriors in the third quarter. Their offense came alive as they put 33 points on the board while holding Golden State to 24. Jordan Poole injured his ankle midway in the quarter. He went to the locker room and had his ankle iced. The Warriors finished the third quarter leading 99-90.

The Warriors were able to maintain the lead for most of the fourth quarter. In his first game in over a month, Eric Paschall was a catalyst keeping the Pelicans at bay. Mulder hit a two-pointer to put the Warriors ahead 112-101. They led by eleven 119-108. It was at this point that the Warrior offense went ice cold.

The Pelicans made stop after stop and were able to go on a 12-0 run to take the lead 120-119. The Warriors went three minutes and 39 seconds without scoring. Eric Paschall broke the spell with a basket to put the Warriors ahead 121-120.

The Pelicans answered with a basket of their own to lead 122-121, with 25.9 seconds left. Jordan Poole hit a basket that took just four seconds of the clock. New Orleans has 21 seconds to find a way to beat the Warriors. They tried, but the Warrior defense held. The Warriors had control of the ball. The Pelicans fouled Poole with 0.1 seconds left. Poole made both free throws, and the game was over. The Warriors win 125-122.

Game Notes and Stats: With the win, the Warriors are 39-33 for the year. The Pelicans are 31-40. The Memphis Grizzlies beat the Sacramento Kings in Memphis 107-106 to remain in the ninth spot. The winner of Sunday’s game will play the Number seven team in the conference. The Number nine team will play the Number ten team.

Jordan Poole and Mychal Mulder had career-highs in scoring Friday night. Poole finished with 38 points, four rebounds, and six assists. Jordan knocked down four threes. Mulder’s line was 28 points, two rebounds, one assist, and was seven-for 13 from downtown.

Other Warriors in double figures were Kent Bazemore with 14, Eric Paschall had 12 points and four rebounds, Nico Mannion 11 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. Juan Toscano-Anderson almost had a triple-double. His numbers were nine points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. The Warrior shot 49% from the floor. They made 17 threes in 39 tries. 

The Pelicans’ Nickeil Alexander-Walker had quite a night with 30 points. He connected on four threes. Naji Marshall had a double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Willy Hernangomez had 10. Wenyen Garland had 14, and Jaxson Hayes had 19.

The Warriors meet the Memphis Grizzlies Sunday afternoon at the Chase Center. The game will start at 12:30 pm.

Grizzlies hang on late to upend Kings 107-106

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by Marko Ukalovic

MEMPHIS, Tenn–Terence Davis had a chance at the end of the game to play the hero but his deperation three-point attempt at the buzzer rimmed out as the Memphis Grizzlies held on by the skin of its teeth to defeat the Sacaramento Kings 107-106 on Saturday evening at FedEx Forum.

Memphis have won five games in a row, including the two-game sweep over the Kings, and head into Sunday’s finale showdown with the Golden State Warriors with eight place in the Western Conference on the line. Sacramento has lost two in a row and three out of its last five games.

The Kings (31-40) entered the game tying a NBA record for futility. This is the 15th consecutive year they will miss the post-season, a record they now share with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Memphis (38-33) looked to have wrapped up the game with 46.5 seconds remaining in the game when Killian Tillie made a three-pointer to put the Griz up 105-99. However, their poor free throw shooting down the stretch (missing seven of its final ten) kept the Kings in it to set up Davis’ chance at the buzzer.

Louis King came off the bench and was the Kings leading scorer with 27 points on 10-16 shooting, including 2-5 from beyond the arc. Center Damian Jones led the starters with 17 points on six of seven shooting and 10 rebounds.

Justise Winslow led the Grizzlies in scoring with 25 points on 9-19 shooting, including 4-6 from three point land. Tillie and Xavier Tillman each chipped in with 16 points.

Memphis jumped out to a 29-25 lead after the first quarter as Winslow got off to a good start with 10 points in the first quarter. Jones kept the Kings afloat with his 10 points in the opening 12 minutes.

Sacramento went on a 13-0 run in a two-minute stretch starting at the 7:58 mark of the second quarter to go up 49-42. They closed out the half with a four-point lead 57-53.

Memphis started the third quarter cold and the Kings took advantage outscoring the Grizzlies 5-0 in the first 2:10 to extend its lead to nine, their biggest lead of the game at 62-53.

Down by nine points, the Griz finished the final 6:49 of the third quarter on a 16-6 run to go up 79-76 heading into the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter went back and forth with four lead changes and the biggest lead for either team was just five points by Memphis.

The game featured more of a G-League lineup than an NBA lineup. Memphis were without seven of its players including Jonas Valanciunas, Grayson Allen, and Sean McDermott. While Sacramento, who have been hit hard by the injury bug, were without stars Harrison Barnes, De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton and Marvin Bagley III.

GAME NOTES: Sacramento finished 15-21 on the road this season.

Buddy Heald, who has been dealing with ankle injury, was in the starting lineup and finished with 11 points and five assists.

UP NEXT: The Kings finish the regular season at home as they host the Utah Jazz on Sunday 5/16 at 6:00pm at Golden 1 Center.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara Mason: Kings to play out the string two games left in the season

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Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) shoots against Sacramento Kings center Richaun Holmes (22) in the first half of action in Memphis on Thu May 13, 2021 (AP News photo)

On the Kings podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Memphis Grizzlies (37-33) eliminated the Sacramento Kings (31-39) on Thursday night to put the final touches on any chance for the Kings to get post season.

#2 The Kings put together a effort in the home stretch winning five out of their last six games before losing the Grizzlies on Thursday night the effort was there but they fell short in the standings.

#3 Barbara, It seems like a different player every other night to lead the team in scoring for Thursday it was Justin James who lead with 31 points.

#4 For Kings head coach Luke Walton it was an on and off campaign which included a nine game losing streak and this recent five out of six game wins to just miss the post season for the head coach.

#5 Kings vs. Grizzlies go at it again tonight at Memphis for game two of the series the Kings certainly will play for pride now and try to move into the win column tonight.

Barbara filled in for Jeremiah Salmonson for the Kings podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings eliminated miss playoffs in tough loss to Memphis 116-110

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The Sacramento Kings Buddy Hield (24) drives against the Memphis Grizzlies Dillion Brooks (24) on Thu May 13, 2021 in Memphis (AP News photo)

The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Thursday evening. The Kings were slated to take on the Memphis Grizzlies after playing the Oklahoma City Thunder at home on Tuesday. The Kings beat the Thunder on Tuesday and were looking to keep that momentum going on the road against the Grizzlies. The Kings unfortunately fell against the Grizzlies on Thursday night 116-110 and were officially eliminated from playoff contention. However, before we discuss Thursday’s game let’s revisit the Kings win against the Thunder on Tuesday night.

Flashback Tuesday: The Kings downed the Thunder on Tuesday after falling behind in the first half. The Kings may have had one of the best quarters of the season in the third as they outscored the Thunder 41-18. The Kings with the help of Terence Davis, who has taken a more active role in the absence of key Kings starters, scored 27 points. The Kings beat the Thunder by the final of 122-106.

Thursday night recap: The Kings were set to take on the Memphis Grizzlies for the first game of a back-to-back on Thursday night at 5 PM PST in Memphis.

In the first half, the Kings hung in with the playoff bound Grizzlies. In the first quarter, the Kings were outscored by the Grizzlies 36-32 as Memphis started the game red hot shooting the ball. In the second quarter, the Kings tightened up the defense and outscored the Grizzlies 28-23 to take a 60-59 halftime lead. The Kings would need to seal the deal to keep their playoff hopes alive. However, the third quarter wouldn’t be so kind.

In the second half, it was the third quarter that ultimately did the Kings in. The Grizzlies managed to outscore the Kings 30-23 in the third quarter to take a six point lead into the final 12 minutes of action. If the Kings hoped to keep their season alive they would need a rally. Unfortunately, the Kings didn’t get one. The Grizzlies and Kings both scored 27 points in the final quarter as Memphis downed the Kings 116-110 to end the Kings season hopes. The Kings already had an uphill battle to fight, but Thursday’s loss was the last nail in the coffin. The Kings were led in defeat by Justin James who had a tremendous game scoring 31 points. Dillon Brooks led the Grizzlies with 30 points in victory.

With the Kings eliminated from playoff contention for the 15th cod consecutive years. It is a disappointing end to the seasons hopes for the Kings who came into the year with high expectations.

Up Next: The Kings remain in Memphis to take on Grizzlies for the second night of a back-to-back on Friday at 6 PM PST.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Warriors come back on Suns remain in 8th in Western Conference

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The Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins who scored 38 points against the Phoenix Suns is congratulated by forward Draymond Green (23) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue May 11, 2021 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with David:

#1 The Golden State Warriors (37-33) were down but staged a comeback holding the Phoenix Suns (48-21) to just 18 points in the fourth quarter and scored 30 to win it 122-116.

#2 One of the keys to the Warriors offense was Andrew Wiggins who scored 38 points the Suns just couldn’t shut his shot or his offense down.

#3 It’s a tight spot for that last and final eighth spot in the Western Conference that the Warriors are holding onto they host the New Orleans Pelicans (31-38) on Friday night at the Chase Center and hope to keep winning to stay alive for a playoff position.

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

Kings strong second half gets them win over OKC 122-106

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Sacramento Kings guard Terence Davis (9) guards Oklahoma City Thunder guard Svi Mykhailiuk (14) in the first quarter at the Golden One Center in Sacramento on Tue May 11, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

The Sacramento Kings (31-38) were back in action on Tuesday night. The Kings last played on Sunday in Sacramento against the Oklahoma City Thunder (21-49). On Tuesday, they were matched up against those same Thunder. The Kings would play the Thunder in three of the last five games after Tuesday night. On Tuesday, the Kings downed the Thunder 122-106. However, before we talk about Tuesday’s matchup let’s discuss the Kings win against the Thunder on Sunday.

Flashback Sunday: The Kings have handled the Thunder in 2021. On Sunday, it was no different. The Kings managed to bet the Thunder by a convincing margin 126-98. The key to the King’s victory was defense. This year, the theme in Kings victory has been defense. If the Kings are competent on the defensive end they have a chance to win. The Kings downed the Thunder on Sunday by keeping them below 100 points.

Tuesday night game recap: The Kings were set to take on the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday at 7 PM PST in Sacramento. It would be the Kings third game in the last game against the struggling Oklahoma City Thunder.

In the first half, the Thunder outplayed the Kings. Specifically, in the first quarter where the Thunder outscored the Kings 32-27. For a team without much offensive firepower, the Thunder boomed on offense. In the second quarter, the Thunder didn’t slow down.

Yet, the Kings managed to outslug the Thunder in the second quarter. The Kings outscored the Thunder 35-33 in the second quarter to close the gap heading into halftime. The Thunder would enter halftime up 65-62 looking to snap the losing streak against the Kings.

In the second half, the Kings had plans for the Thunder. The Kings came out of the gate in the third with authority as they pummelled the Thunder by outscoring them 41-18. It may well have been the best quarter the Kings have played this season as the defensive intensity and offensive output had greatly increased from the first half.

The third quarter would give the Kings momentum and catapult them to a 102-83 lead heading into the final 12 minutes. In the fourth quarter, it was merely academic. The Kings offense cooled and the Thunder outscored them 23-19 in the final quarter.

However, that comeback would fall woefully short. The Kings beat the Thunder for the third straight time by the final of 122-106. In the game, the Kings got solid performances from Terence Davis, Buddy Hield, and Delon Wright who all scored more than 20 points.

Davis seems to have taken on more of a scoring role in the absence of De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton. Davis led the Kings scoring 27 points on Tuesday night. For the Thunder, they were led in defeat by Kenrich Williams who scored 20 points.

Up Next: The Kings head to Memphis on Thursday to take on the Memphis Grizzlies at 5 PM PST. The Kings have three games remaining on the season as they are 2.5 games back of the 10th place Spurs in the standings.

Warriors fourth quarter rally stuns Suns 122-116; Wiggins top scorer with 38 points for Golden State

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The Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry (30) takes a shot against the Phoenix Suns Devin Booker at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue May 11, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

For the second night in a row, the Golden State Warriors (37-33) faced one of the top teams in the NBA, the Phoenix Suns (48-21). The Suns entered the game, still smarting from a 123-110 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday night. If the Suns were to win, they would be just one game behind the Utah Jazz in the race for first place in the Western Conference.

If Utah and Phoenix finish with identical records, Phoenix would be Division champs as they won the season series from the Jazz. The Warriors needed a win to remain in eighth place in the Western Conference. The eighth-place would give the Warriors two chances to make the final eight teams for the Western Conference title. If the Warriors finish in ninth or tenth, one loss will send them home.

Things did not go well for the Warriors in the first half. Phoenix, as so many teams have done, had two men defending Stephen Curry. The Warriors needed someone to step up and fill the void if Curry was shackled. Andrew Wiggins was the man. Wiggins finished the night with 38 points to lead the Warriors to an exciting 122-116 win.

 In the first quarter, the teams played a very face-paced, competitive game. The Warriors led 21-20 when Phoenix went on a 16-2 run to lea 36-23. The Suns were making threes, and the Warriors were not. The Suns connected on six threes. Phoenix led 38-29 after the first 12 minutes of action.

Things didn’t get better for Golden State in the second period. The Suns led by 15 points, 55-40, about halfway through the period. Kent Bazemore, Andrew Wiggins, and Juan Toscano-Anderson helped the Warriors close the gap to a eight-point deficit, 66-58 at the end of the first half.

The Suns Jae Crowder led his team with 17 points. Crowder knocked down five shots from behind the three-point arc. The 36-year-old veteran point guard, Chris Paul, had 11. Devin Booker had nine. Andrew Wiggins kept the Warriors in the game with 21. Kent Bazemore pitched in with 14. Curry finished with four points. He was 0-for-5 from downtown.

The Warriors knew they had to make adjustments to get Curry open so that he could attempt three-point shots. The Suns knew that the Warriors love to put their opponents away in the third quarter. Neither team would wilt in the quarter.

Curry made his only three-pointer of the night to bring the Dubs within six, 70-64. The Suns Devin Booker held to nine points in the first half, took over the Phoenix offense. Booker poured in 22 points while the rest of the Suns tallied just ten. The Warriors won the quarter 34-32 but still trailed by six, 98-92 heading into the final 12 minutes of play. 

The Warriors had to find a way to stop the Phoenix offense in the fourth quarter. Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, and Juan Toscano-Anderson were the players that held Phoenix to 18 points. The Warriors started the final 12 minutes with their second unit.

Wiggins and Jordan Poole each made a three to tie the game 103-103. Curry made a bucket to tie the game at 105-105. Phoenix went ahead 110-107 with three minutes left. Wiggins connected on a three to tie the game again. Chris Paul responded with a three to put Phoenix ahead 113-110.

Toscano-Anderson made his only three of the night to tie the game at 113-113. Jordan Poole gave the Warriors their first lead since they led 21-20 in the first period. Wiggins made a two-point bucket to give the Warriors a five-point lead 118-113 with 1:21 left.

The Suns Jae Crowder made his sixth three of the night to close within two, 118-116 with 1:10 left. Curry made a floater. Curry made a floater. Golden State led 120-116. The Suns, running out of time, fouled Jordan Poole. Poole made both free throws to seal the win for the Warriors 122-116.

Game Notes and Stats: With the win, the Warriors are 37-33 for the year. They have two games left on the schedule. They meet the New Orleans Pelicans Friday night and finish the season against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies trail the Warriors by 1/2 game in the race for the eighth spot in the conference. Sunday’s game should be a barnburner.

Andrew Wiggins was the player of the game for Golden State. Wiggins finished with 38 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Wiggins was 17-for-24 from the floor, and he connected on two threes. Green finished with a triple-double.

His numbers were 11 points, ten rebounds, and 11 assists. The Warriors rarely lose when Green has a triple-double. Poole had 20 points. Poole made three threes. Kent Bazemore had another solid game on both ends of the court.

Bazemore finished with 17 points. For most players scoring 21 points in a game would be a big night. For Curry, it was an off night. Curry tallied 21 points, three rebounds, and six assists. He was seven-for 22 from the floor, and he made one three in 11 tries. Toscano-Anderson finished with seven points, five rebounds, and six assists. He made one three, but it was huge when it happened in the fourth quarter. 

As a team, the Warriors made 47 field goals in 95 attempts. They were 11-for-40 from behind the three-point arc. They outrebounded the Suns 51-40. The Warriors recorded 33 assists on 47 field goals. 

Devin Booker led the Suns with 34 points. Chris Paul had 24, and Jae Crowder finished with 20.

The Warriors play the New Orleans Pelicans Friday night at the Chase Center. Zion Williamson will not play. The Pelicans’ star forward due to an injury he suffered last week against the Warriors in Crescent City. The game will start at 6:30 pm

Warriors hang on down Jazz 119-116; Curry gives it his all again scores 36

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) takes the ball down court against the Utah Jazz on Mon May 10, 2021 at the Chase Center in San Francisco (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors (36-33) met the Utah Jazz (50-19) Monday night at the Chase Center. The Jazz, winners of five straight games, had their sights on avenging the 131-119 loss to the Warriors on March 14th. The Jazz entered the game with the best record in the Western Conference, 50-18.

The Warriors were fighting to remain in eighth place in the Western Conference. It felt as if it were the first game of the playoffs: the Jazz, the only team in the NBA in the top five offensively and defensively. The Jazz entered the game averaging 17 threes a night.

They had the best record, defending the opposing team’s three-point efforts. Both teams were missing key places. Utah’s point guard, Michael Conley, was out with a hamstring injury. The other guard, Donovan Mitchell, was not able to play due to an ankle injury.

The Warriors were missing Daminon Lee due to Covid-19. Kelly Oubre, Jr was out with a torn ligament in his wrist, and Eric Paschall, slated to return on May 11th, sat out with a hip problem. With the two Utah guards out, the Warriors knew the Jazz would commit turnovers.

Could the Warriors capitalize on their miscues? The answer was yes. The Warriors defense forced 15 Utah turnover that translated into 26 points for the Warriors. The Warriors knew that they had to find a way to stop Utah in the fourth quarter. The Jazz averaged 31 points in the last period. Utah put pressure on the Warriors defense as they poured in 41 points in the last 12 minutes. Stephen Curry answered with a three to lead the Warriors to a hard-fought 119-116 win.

Utah’s head coach Quin Snyder assigned Royce O’Neale to guard Curry for most of the first half. O’Neale threw a blanket over Curry as he attempted his three-point shots. Curry started the game with a three. He did not make another three in the first half.

The first half was very close. Neither team would give an inch. The Warriors finished the first period leading 31-30. The second period was a defensive struggle. The Warriors won the quarter by four points to finish the first half with a five-point advantage 54-49. Curry led the Warriors with 15 points. Draymond Green had ten. Andrew Wiggins helped out with eight. Jordan Poole and Kent Bazemore each had seven. The Jazz leading scorers were Bojan Bogdanovic with 15, and Jordan Clarkson, coming off the bench, had 12.

The Warriors won the third quarter 35-26 to finish the third period leading by 14 points, 89-75. Curry had his magic working as he poured in 14 points in the period. Kent Bazemore helped out with ten. Jordan Poole made the shot of the night as he made a 55-foot three-point shot as the buzzer sounded to end the third period. The Warriors didn’t know it at the time, but that three-pointer turned out to be huge.

With the second unit on the floor, the Warriors increased the lead to 17, 94-77. The Jazz kept chipping away at the lead. The Warriors could not stop Utah’s, Jordan Clarkson. Clarkson, a candidate for sixth-man of the year, kept making baskets. He couldn’t make a three in the first half. He made several in the fourth quarter. The Jazz closed to within seven, 122-105, with three minutes left to play.

Their defense continued to stop the Warriors offense. Utah tied the game 112-112. The Jazz went ahead briefly 113-112. Bazemore made a basket to make it 114-113. Clarkson hit a three, and the Jazz led 116-114 with 29 seconds left to play. Curry answered with a three to give the Warriors the advantage 117-116 with 13.4 seconds left. The Warriors had to find a way to stop the Jazz.

They did. Utah did not score on their possession after Curry’s bucket. The Jazz fouled Curry, and he made the two free throws to give the Warriors a three-point lead 119-116 with five seconds left. The Warriors had to stop Utah from tying the game with a three-pointer. They focused on Bogdanovic as the player to defend. The Warriors forced a turnover to win the game 119-116.

Game Notes and Stats-With the win, the Warriors improve to 36-33. They are in eighth place in the Western Conference. Utah is now 50-19 for the year.

Curry’s line was 36 points, four rebounds, and six assists. Curry was 11-for-25 from the floor, and he was three-for-13 from downtown. It was the 37th game that Curry had 30 or more points. The Warriors had four other players in double figures. Jordan Poole added 20 points in 18 minutes of playing time.

Bazemore had 19, Wiggins 14, and Green had 12. Green had a double-double with ten assists, too. Kevon Looney finished the night with 13 rebounds. The third game in a row for Looney with double-digit rebounds, the first time in his career. The team shot 47% from the floor. They made 14 threes in 42 tries.

Jordan Clarkson had a big night with 41 points for Utah. He was 16-for-33 from the floor and connected on five threes. Bogdanovic had 26 points and four threes. The Warriors defense held Rudy Gobert to 10 points. Royce O’Neale was the only other Jazz player in double figures with 10.

The Warriors meet the Phoenix Suns Tuesday night at the Chase Center. The game will start at 7 pm.