Category: NBA

Doncic and Prozingis lead the Mavs to a 130-111 win over the Kings in “Big D”

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by Charlie O. Mallonee

The Sacramento Kings wanted to close out their short two-game road trip on a high note by handing the Dallas Mavericks (33-22) a loss on their homecourt heading into the All-Star Break. The Kings (21-33) knew they would have a big task on their hands because All-Starter Luka Doncic was going to make his return to the lineup after missing the previous seven games due to an ankle injury.

The Doncic Factor

For the rest of his career, Luka Doncic will always be tied to the Sacramento Kings in a bad way. Almost everyone associated with the NBA expected the Kings to draft Doncic because of his Euro pedigree and the Euro leanings of the Sacramento front office. When that did not happen, most experts and analysts were shocked. Now that Doncic is on the verge of becoming a real superstar, the decision to pass Doncic in the draft has become magnified.

Every Doncic success will be viewed as a Sacramento failure because they could have drafted Luka with their number two pick in 2018. Doncic will start the All-Star game on Sunday and he could have done that as a Sacramento King.

On Tuesday night, Doncic was the leading scorer in the game putting up 33 points to go along with 12 rebounds and eight assists.

Some will say that Doncic will always be in the mood to punish the Kings. Do not believe that rubbish. Doncic does not care about the Kings. He is very happy playing for billionaire Mark Cuban in Dallas who will spend whatever is necessary to put the players around him to win an NBA Championship.

Lack of defense

The Kings allowed the Mavericks to score at least 30 points in all four quarters of the game on Wednesday night. They allowed Dallas to shoot 56.5% from the field in the game. The Mavs hit 17 of 40 (42.5%) of their 3-point attempts.

A team like Dallas cannot be defeated when their opponent fails to show up on defense.

Top Scorers

  • Doncic was the game’s leading scorer while Kristaps Prozingis also had a double-double game with 27 points and 13 rebounds plus he added five assists
  • Buddy Hield was the Kings leading scorer coming off the bench to put up 22 points to go along with nine assists

The Glass Cleaners

  • Prozingis was the game’s leading rebounder with 13
  • Hield, Barnes and Bjelica all pulled down seven rebounds each for SAC

Dropping Dimes

  • Buddy Hield was the game’s assists leader with his nine dimes
  • Luca Doncic led Dallas with eight

Up next

The Kings will return to play on Thursday, February 20 when they will host the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Mavericks will return to action on February 21 in Orlando.

Warriors come close still lose again 112-106 this time Phoenix

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photo sfgate.com: Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives around Golden State Warriors forward Marquese Chriss (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, in Phoenix.

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Warriors, with newly-acquired Andrew Wiggins, played a very entertaining game against the Phoenix Suns Wednesday evening in the Valley of the Sun. There’s an old saying that a team cannot win the game in the first period, but they sure as hell can lose it.

That’s what happened to the Warriors. They turned the ball over nine times in the first quarter. The Suns took advantage, and they sprinted to a 10-point lead 34-24 after 12 minutes of play.

The Warriors handled the ball better in the second quarter. They did commit four turnovers. What they couldn’t do is stop the Suns’, Devin Booker. Booker torched the Dubs with 18 points in the first half. The Suns scored 22 points off turnovers in the half.

The Warriors scored five in that department. The Warriors won the second quarter 26-24 to finish the first half trailing by eight 58-50. Marquese Chriss led the Warriors with 12. Andrew Wiggins, playing his third game as a Warrior, had ten.

The Warriors made a run in the third period to close within a single point of the lead 62-62. Phoenix did not fold. They beat back the Warriors challenge. The Warriors didn’t help themselves as they committed seven turnovers in the period. Phoenix was able to finish the third period leading by eleven 87-76.

The Warriors fought back. They were led by the play of Eric Paschall, Andrew Wiggins, and Jeremy Pargo. The 33-year-old Pargo, who signed a 10-day contract, played as if his NBA career was on the line, which it is. The Warriors came within four 100-96. Phoenix again rebuffed the Warriors challenge to win 112-106.

Game Notes and Stats- With the loss, the Warriors record dropped to 12-43.  Phoenix improved to 22-33. Suns’ head coach Monty Williams has led his team to more wins than they had for the entire 2018-2019 season.

The Warriors committed 22 turnovers in the game. The Suns turned those turnovers into 32 points. The Warriors scored 11 points off 14 Suns’ miscues.

The Suns took 14 more shots than the Warriors. They were 42 for 91 from the floor. The Warriors were 39 for 77. The Warriors shot 50.6% from the floor. That will typically win the game for a team. The Suns shot 46.2%. Golden State connected on 11 threes, the Suns knocked down 14.

The Warriors had six players in double figures. Andrew Wiggins had his best game as a Warriors. Wiggins knocked down 27 points, four boards, five assists, made three threes in four tries and blocked a career-high four shots. Marquese Chriss had a double-double.

The 22-year-old Chriss continues to impress. He had 18 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists. Jeremy Pargo helped out with 15. Jordan Poole and Eric Paschall each had 12. Damion Lee finished with ten. Draymond Green had six points, six rebounds, and nine assists.

The Suns were led by Booker’s 27 points. Booker, who is tenth in the NBA in scoring, was not an All-Star selection. Booker played as if he had a chip on his shoulder as he was all over the court Wednesday night. He had five rebounds, eight assists, and made two-threes to go along with his 27 points.

Kelly Oubre, Jr. Cheick Diallo had tenpois and eight boards. Elie Okobo 12, Mikal Bridges 14. The veteran point guard, Ricky Rubio scored nine points, had five rebounds, and recorded nine assists.

Wednesday’s night game was the last game before the NBA’s annual All-Star weekend. The Warriors will not have anyone representing them on Sunday. Eric Paschall will be going to Chicago as he has been recognized as one of the Rising Stars in the NBA.

The All-Star game will start at 5 pm. The Eastern Conference team will be led by Giannis Antekounmpo. The West by LeBron James.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Charlie O: Kings battle but Bucks just too much; Kings in Dallas Thursday

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image from: KHTK 1140 Sacramento

On the Kings podcast with Charlie O:

#1 The Milwaukee Bucks (46-7) left little doubt in their win over the Sacramento Kings (21-32) in the 123-111 win on Monday night.

#2 The Kings did give the Bucks a challenge in the second and third periods

#3 The Kings Harrison Barnes led with 23 points part of the reason why the Kings got the offensive help they needed in those second and third quarters

#4 The Bucks Eric Bledsoe was unstoppable with 28 points to lead the Bucks.

#5 It’s off to Dallas and Mark Cuban and the Mavericks how do you see the Kings coming out of this game they have been giving some of their opponents some tough games of late.

Charlie O does the Kings podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Barbara Mason: Kings on a three game win streak came to end to Bucks?; Will Wiggins be go to guy on Warriors?; plus more

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The Sacramento Kings De’Aaron Fox (4) puts the defense on against the San Antonio Spurs Derrick White (4) on Saturday night at Golden One Center in Sacramento

On Headline Sports with Barbara:

#1 The Sacramento Kings won three in a row they struggled previous to that but after they beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs but lost a tough one to the Milwaukee Bucks 123-111 on Monday night?

#2 The Golden State Warriors showed they weren’t bashful at the trade deadline and dealt Glen Robinson III, Alec Burks, and De’Angelo Russell and for their trouble got three second round picks from the Philadelphia 76ers and Andrew Wiggins from the Minnesota Timberwolves

#3 The San Francisco Giants got to re-introduce outfielder Hunter Pence at the Giants Fan Fest on Saturday at Oracle Park, Pence said he was excited about being back in San Francisco.

#4 Barbara wanted to ask you about a recent Chronicle poll showing that 62% of Oakland residents prefer the Oakland A’s stay at the Oakland Coliseum location rather than move to Jack London Square 29% of those polled wanted to see the A’s move to Jack London Square

#5 MLB Commissioner said that if the A’s do not get a stadium built at Howard Terminal they would leave Oakland for Las Vegas.

Join Barbara for Headline Sports at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: After recent deals have Warriors showed signs of improvement?

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photo from sfgate.com: Golden State Warriors guard Andrew Wiggins shoots as Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James defends him in the second half on Saturday in San Francisco. The Lakers won 125-120

On the Warrior podcast with David:

#1 Although they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday 125-120 the Warriors after making a few deals have now and have played other teams close contest and have some signs of improvement

#2 How much will the Warriors miss the players they dealt in De’Angelo Russell, Alec Burks and Glen Robinson III and how huge is it to have someone like Andrew Wiggins on the team?

David does the Warriors podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

The Kings run out of gas in the fourth quarter and lose in Milwaukee 123-111

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by Charlie O. Mallonee

The Kings entered the game on Monday night in Milwaukee with high hopes. The Bucks superstar – Giannis Antetokounmpo – was ruled out the game because he wanted to be with his new-born son (who we all expect to be the number one overall draft selection in 2038). Without “the freak” on the floor, the Kings knew they had at least a fighting chance versus the powerful Bucks.

The Kings (21-32) fell behind early, and it looked like it might be a walkover game for Milwaukee (46-7) even without Giannis. At the end of the first quarter, the Bucks held 38-24 lead.

Sacramento rebounded in the second quarter. The Kings outscored the Bucks 34-19 in the second period behind the 13 point barrage by Harrison Barnes. Barnes went 4-for-4 from the floor with all three of his 3-point attempts finding their mark. He also converted both of his free throw attempts. The Kings went to the locker room at halftime with a 58-57 lead.

The two teams went into an epic battle in the third quarter and went toe to toe. The Kings outscored the Bucks 32-31 in the quarter and held a 90-88 advantage at the end of 36 minutes.

The Bucks started the final quarter with a 13-0 run and never looked back. Milwaukee went on to outscore the Kings 35-21 in the fourth quarter as they fell 12 points short when the final buzzer sounded.

Top scorers

  • Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe were the leading scorers in the game scoring 28 points each
  • Harrison Barnes was the Kings top scorer with 23 points

The Glass Cleaners

  • Bucks All-Star Khris Middleton made it a double-double game by pulling down 11 rebounds
  • De’Aaron Fox and Nemanja Bjelica grabbed eight rebounds each for the Kings

Dropping Dimes

  • De’Aaron Fox was the game’s assist leader with 11 which gave him a double-double game
  • Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe dropped eight dimes each for the Bucks

Up next

The Kings will be back in action on Wednesday night in Dallas.

The Bucks will travel to Indianapolis to play the Pacers on Wednesday night.

Heat snap three-game losing streak down Warriors 113-101

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photo from sfgate.com: The Miami Heat’s Duncan Robinson (55) takes a jump shot over the Golden State Warriors Marquese Chriss (32) in the first half of Monday night’s game at Chase Center in San Francisco

By Jerry Feitelberg

San Francisco- The Golden State Warriors gave a warm welcome to their former teammate, Andre Iguodala, Monday night at the Chase Center. Andre spent six years with the Warriors. The team went to the playoffs six times and won three NBA titles during his time with the team.

The Warriors showed a retrospective before the start of the game. Klay Thompson had the honor of talking with Andre before the start of the game. Iguodala, in his second game with the Heat, tried to keep his return to the Bay Area in perspective. “I haven’t had a chance to let it be something that is overwhelming,” Iguodala said. “I just see it as another game on the schedule. It’s more important for the team, so it’s actually helping me, if not allowing me, to not let it seem like a different type of situation.” Iguodala was greeted with a rousing ovation from the crowd when he checked into the game in the first quarter.

However, there was still a game to play. The Heat, coached by Eric Spoelstra, who is in his 12th year in Miami, had lost three in a row. The team was buoyed by the return of Jimmy Butler. Butler missed the last two games with a right shoulder strain.

The only time the Warriors led in the game was when Marquese Chriss made the first basket of the game. It was all Miami from that point on. The Heat led by ten 20-10 about two-thirds of the way in the first quarter. The Warriors were ice cold from the field. The W’s went on a 10-4 run to finish the quarter trailing 24-20. Draymond Green connected on a three. Jordan Poole also made a three. Jeremy Pargo made the next two baskets to tie the game at 20. Miami scored the last four points in the period.

The Heat overpowered the Warriors in the second period. They increased the lead to twenty-one 57-36. The Warriors could not do anything at either end of the court. Miami finished the first half leading 62-43. Jordan Poole led the Warriors with 12. The Heat’s Jae Crowder, who came to Miami from the Memphis Grizzlies, led his club with 16. Jimmy Butler had 13.

It looked as if it was going to be a blowout for the Heat. However, the Warriors, led by Damion Lee and Andrew Wiggins, got the offense going in the third quarter. After Miami scored the first two points of the quarter, the Warriors turned the tables as they went on a 13-0 run. The Warriors cut the Miami lead to four after an Eric Paschall three to trail 79-75. Iguodala returned to the court and that allowed Miami to increase the lead to eight 83-75.

The Heat took control of the game early in the fourth quarter. They shut down the Warrior offense and led 100-82. It was a 15-2 run that put the Heat in the driver’s seat. The Warriors could not catch up. Damion Lee played well but the Warriors just were overmatched. The Heat wins 113-101.

Game Notes and Stats- Damion Lee led the W’s with 26 points. Andrew Wiggins had 18, Marquese Chriss 17, Jordan Poole 12, and Eric Paschall 9. The Warriors shot 39% from the floor. They mad 11 threes in 34 attempts. The Heat outrebounded them 45-40. The Warriors committed 17 turnovers.

Jimmy Butler had a double-double with 21 points and 10 boards. Jae Crowder finished with 21. He made four threes. Douglas Robinson had 17. Robinson’s specialty is shooting threes. He connected five times Monday night.

Andre Iguodala scored two points and had 5 rebounds in 17 minutes of action. He was +25 while on the floor.

The Warriors’ Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond  Green are among the finalists for the 2020 men’s Olympic basketball team.

The Warriors travel to Phoenix to meet the Suns Wednesday night. The game will start at 6:00 pm. It will be the last game before the break for the NBA’s All-Star game weekend. The game will be played in Chicago.

Buddy Can’t Miss From Deep, Kings Down Spurs 122-104

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photo from sacbee.com: Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield (24) trots back for defense after scoring a three-pointer against the San Antonio Spurs during the first half of their NBA game Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Kings played well just a day prior to Saturday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs. The Kings beat the Miami Heat on Friday night by a final of 105-97. On Saturday, the Kings looked to build on that victory as Greg Popovich and the Spurs came to town. The Tip-off was set for seven PM PST in Sacramento.

In the first, The Kings went toe to toe with the Spurs. The Kings put up 24 points compared to the Spurs 23. The hot hand for the Kings early appeared to be the three-ball. The Kings shot 42% from deep in the first to help lead them to an early lead. Leading the way was Buddy Hield for the Kings with seven points and Derrick White for the Spurs with six points.

In the second, the Kings managed to maintain a slim lead thanks to Nemanja Bjelica and Kent Bazemore who put up a combined 12 points. The King’s lead going into halftime would be three points at 52-49.

The Spurs were getting a great contribution from Dejounte Murray through the first half who had 12 points. For the Kings, Buddy Hield led the Kings with ten points in 15:01 minutes of action. The Kings shot 45.5% in the first half with the Spurs putting up a 46.7% clip.

In the third, the Spurs offense came to life but that couldn’t stop the Kings. The Kings had their best quarter of the game putting up 37 points compared to the Spurs 29. Harrison Barnes led the team out of the post putting up 13 points in the third quarter alone. The Kings would take a 89-78 lead into the final session.

In the fourth, the Kings continued to make the Spurs work. To make a long story short, DeMar DeRozan was ejected from the game after frustrations began to mount for the Spurs. Buddy Hield led the Kings as he went 9-10 from deep in the game and scored 31 points in total.

The Kings downed the Spurs 122-104. It was a great win for the Kings sweeping a back to back as they embark on a long stretch on the road. Harrison Barnes followed up the performance from Hield with a 25 point night for himself. Leading the way for the Spurs in defeat was Dejounte Murray with 17 points.

The Kings head on the road to take on Milwaukee on Monday.

New-look Warriors give Lakers a tussle, W’s still lose 125-120

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photo from sfgate.com: The Golden State Warriors Andrew Wiggins (22) defends against the Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James (23) on Thursday night at Chase Center

By Jerry Feitelberg

San Francisco- The Warriors, without starter Draymond Green, who was out with back spasms, had another new lineup in the game against the LA Lakers Saturday night.

Eric Paschall started instead of Draymond. Ky Bowman replaced the departed D’Angelo Russell at point guard. Newly acquired Andrew Wiggins started in the other forward slot. Marquese Chriss remained at the center position and Damion Lee was the other guard.

The Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr had to wonder how his team would perform. They traded six players in the last two weeks. They received just one player, Andrew Wiggins in return. They also received several draft picks as they are in the process of building the team for a successful season next year when Steph Curry and Klay Thompson return.

The Lakers entered the game with the best record in the Western Conference 38-12. The Warriors owned the worst 12-40. The Lakers are led by LeBron James, Anthony, Davis, Dwight Howard, JaVale McGee, and Avery Bradley. The game, on paper, looked to be an easy win for LA.

The Warriors gave the Lakers all they could handle. In the first half, The Dubs’ Marquese Chriss knocked down 20 points to lead his team. Wiggins had 13. The Lakers outscored the W’s 33-25 in the first period. The Warriors won the second quarter 34-33 to finish the first half trailing by seven 66-59

The Lakers did not relinquish the lead the rest of the way. The outscored Golden State by five in the third period to lead 96-84. It looked like the lakers were going to cruise to an easy victory.

The Warriors fell behind by fifteen 102-87. It was at this point that Kordan Poole, coming off the bench, showed the Lakers and the rest of the NBA the reason the Warriors picked him in the first round of the draft. The young man from Milwaukee, who played his college ball at Michigan, started making shots. He knocked 16 points in the fourth period to close the deficit it just five points.

The Lakers led 116-111 and they could not afford to remove their starters from the game. The Lakers had to hang on for dear life as Poole and Chriss continued to make baskets to keep the Warriors close. The Warriors ran out of time as the fell to LA 125-120.

Game Notes and stats- There were a lot of bright spots for the Warriors Saturday night. Marquese Chriss played well on both ends of the court. He scored a career-high 26 points to go along with 9 rebounds. Andrew Wiggins, in his first game as a Warrior, put 24 points on the board.

Jordan Poole had 19. Ky Bowman recorded 11 assists and seven points. Alen Smailagic recalled from the G-League scored ten points. Damion Lee had 8, Eric Paschall six.

Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr had this to say bout the play of Andrew Wiggins: “I told him, `No matter what happens we need you to sprint the floor, both ways,” Kerr said after Wiggins scored 24 points in his impressive Warriors debut Saturday night.

The Warriors defense caused the Lakers to commit 24 turnovers. The one negative was that the Lakers outrebounded Golden State 47-33. The Warriors could not stop the Lakers’ big men LeBron James, Anthony Davis, JaVale McGee, and Dwight Howard from controlling the boards.

Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 27 points and 10 rebounds. LeBron scored 22 points, eight boards, 11 assists, and he connected on three threes. Avery Bradley finished with 21.

 

 

Kings shock fans and the Heat with 105-97 win

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photo from sacbee.com: The Sacramento Kings’ Bogdan Bogdanovic (8) takes a jump shot against the Miami Heat’s Kendrick Nunn (25) at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Friday night

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings faced a tough challenge on the first night of a back to back against the Miami Heat. The Heat are a surprisingly upstart team with playoff aspirations. The Kings are a struggling middling team that has been playing better of late and they did with a 105-97 victory at Golden One Center over the Heat on Friday night. The Kings looked to win their first game since the trade deadline after acquiring Alex Len and Jabari Parker. The tip-off was set for 7 PM PST.

In the first half, The Kings played really well on their home court. They managed to put up 30 in the first and 22 in the second. That was compared to the Heat scoring 28 in the first and 22 in the second. The Kings held a 52-50 lead going into the half.

The Kings shot 52.5% from the field in the first half. The Heat only managed a 45% clip from the field while only shooting 27% from three-point range. Leading the way in the first half for the Kings was Bogdan Bogdanovic with 17 points. Trailing him was Buddy Hield who had nine points. For the Heat, Bam Adebayo led the way with 13 first-half points.

In the second half, it was more of the same for the Kings. Good shooting and solid defense led to the 20th win of the year for the Kings. The Kings added 53 second-half points compared to the Heats 47 to go home happy. Granted, the Heat were down all-star Jimmy Butler.

However, this was a good win for the Kings to build on. Leading the way for the Kings in victory were Bogdan Bogdanovic and Buddy Hield with 23 and 21 respectively. The Heat received a great performance from All-Star Bam Adebayo who finished with 26 points. It was a great way for the Kings to start the first of a back to back.

The Kings will take on the San Antonio Spurs next on Saturday at 7 PM PST.