Category: NBA

Extra Dribbles commentary: Warriors rise up at home to take Game 1 of NBA Finals

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Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half of Game 1 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, June 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

OAKLAND, Calif — Kevin Durant scored a game-high 38 points and was clearly the best player on the court as Golden State finished tied for an NBA Finals record-low four turnovers in taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-7 NBA Finals with a 113-91 win Thursday night in Game 1 in front of a sold out Oracle Arena crowd over the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers.

Game 2 is Sunday at 5:00 p.m. PDT back at Oracle Arena on ABC.

This match-up marks the first time in NBA history that two teams have met each other in the Finals in three consecutive seasons.

Durant finished the game 10-of-18 from the floor to go along with eight assists and eight rebounds in his first NBA Finals game since Game 5 of the 2012 series against the Miami Heat as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Miami denied Durant and the Thunder a championship by taking the championship in five games and it took Durant five years to get back to the NBA’s ultimate stage.

Durant and the Warriors got anything they wanted in the paint, outscoring the Cavaliers 56-30 inside. There were times that Cleveland’s defense just parted the seas for a Durant dunk as the defense would collapsed on Golden State’s deadly shooters, allowing Durant to easy access to the basket.

”I think the start of the game, we were a little too anxious and we missed some layups, we gave up some open shots,” Durant said after the game. ”I think we just locked in from the second quarter on.”

Golden State would outscore Cleveland 53-38 in the second half to go along with 31 assists for the game.

Stephen Curry was locked in for Game 1, scoring  28 points with six 3-pointers on 11-of-22 from the field. Curry added 10 assists and six rebounds for a Warriors that improved to 13-0 during the playoffs this year.

LeBron James poured in 28 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists for Cleveland, who had 20 turnovers in Game 1. James’ southern California home was vandalized and had the N-word spray painted on the gate on Wednesday.

“At the end of the day, we had 20 turnovers,” James said. “We got to clean that up.”

James’ teams drop to 1-7 all-time in Game 1s of the NBA Finals.

The Cavaliers’ forward is making his league-record seventh Finals appearance this year.

Kyrie Irving scored 24 points on 10-of-22 shooting from the field, while Kevin Love finished with 15 points and a game-high 21 rebounds. Love shot 4-of-13 from the field.

The Warriors had a 60-52 lead at halftime thanks in large part to the 27-9 fastbreak edge and committing just one turnover in the first half.

Curry’s 14 points in the third quarter prove to be the difference-maker for Golden State Thursday night.

Golden State out-shot Cleveland (42.5-percent to 34.9-percent) for the game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

NBA Finals/Golden State Warriors Game 1 Commentary: Warriors establish why this series could go four or five games

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Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots against Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) during the second half of Game 1 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, June 1, 2017. (Kyle Terada/Pool Photo via AP)

by Barbara Mason

It was the night that basketball fans everywhere had been waiting for. It was a week that seemed far longer than only 7 days, more like a lifetime. Fans filed into “Roaracle” Arena for Game One as the Golden State Warriors took on the Cleveland Cavaliers, meeting in the finals for the third time in a row.

It was the expected slow start for both teams as they shook off the nerves that a game of this caliber brings even for the most accomplished athlete. That slow start quickly vanished quickly as neither team was able to establish much of a lead, trading the lead back and forth with each possession. With one quarter in the books, Golden State was leading Cleveland 35-30 and by halftime the Warriors had an eight point lead 60-52. Kevin Durant was tearing up the court with 23 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds. Durant had 6 dunks in the half. Steph Curry had 12 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds. LeBron James had 19 points, 4 assists, and 11 rebounds. Kyrie Irving had 17 points, 2 assists, and 1 rebound. Kevin Love was coming up big with 8 points, grabbing 12 rebounds.

Golden State could have put this game away with the 7 turnovers that LeBron James himself committed. The turnover ratio was an amazing 12 to 1 in favor of the Warriors.

The Warriors would start the third quarter with a turnover and it was off to the races for Golden State. The largest lead of the night came with 9:45 left in the third quarter prompting a Cavalier time-out. Golden State came unleashed as the third quarter wore on. Going into the 4th quarter the Warriors were leading 93-72 as they broke this game open. While Klay Thompson and Draymond Green didn’t have a lot of success point wise, their presence alone made them invaluable. The Warriors had to hang on one more quarter to take the first game of this series. The way this team had played through three quarters; they looked unbeatable as they continued to stuff James. They had neutralized “the King.”

The fourth quarter was all Golden State as they took Game One 113-91. Without a doubt Kevin Durant was the best player on the floor finishing with 38 points. If Cleveland cannot protect the ball, it will be a long long series for the Cavaliers. The crucial Game Two will be played on Sunday and the Cavaliers will be looking to steal one at Oracle. Golden State continues their amazing unbeaten streak in the playoffs.

 

Headline Sports Headline Sports Tony Renteria: This one weighs heavy in Golden State’s favor

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is guarded by Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James during the second half of Game 1 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, June 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

On the Headline Sports Podcast:

1 In the NBA Finals the Warriors considered the heavy favorites in six game according to Tony R

2 Will LeBron be stuck doing all the heavy lifting he looked overwhelmed in game one

3 How much of a concern will Golden State have with Curry’s elbow in a sheath

4 This is head coach Mike Brown’s debut in an NBA Finals how prepared is he for this contest

5 These two teams meet for the third time in the NBA Finals does Tony see this pretty even or lopsided?

Tony does the headline sports each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Categories NBA

NBA Finals/Golden State Warriors Podcast with David Zizmor: Incredible build up to start the Finals; Dave says Warriors in six

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Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green watches from a fan seat during an NBA basketball practice, Wednesday, May 31, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. The Golden State Warriors face the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday in Oakland. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

by David Zizmor

OAKLAND–This going to be one of the most hyped up NBA Finals in recent memory, it might not be the most hyped up ever but it’s got to be right up there. It’s the first time you have two teams face off against each other for three consecutive years that’s historic right there. You have two teams on the same path the Warriors completed three season runs on who won more games over three seasons than any team in the history of the NBA and not just by a few by a wide margin.

You still have the winners like Michael Jordan’s Bulls from the 90s, the 60s Celtics, this Warriors teams has been fantastic from start to finish. You have four MVPs LeBron James is one of them he’s topped Steph Curry . Kevin Durant is in there , you have seven different All Stars playing in this series. You have the Cavs and Warriors splitting the last two championships, two fan bases that know their going to face each other for pretty much the whole season long and see that fulfilled there’s so much going on the sidelines that you can’t help to be incredibly excited about this.

David Zizmor is doing the NBA Finals/Golden State Warriors Podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com there’s much more take a listen below

 

Sacramento Kings Podcast May 31, 2017: Reporter Jerry Tipton analyzes point guard De’Aaron Fox

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fox detail

Charlie O talks with Jerry Tipton – sports reporter for Kentucky.com and the Lexington Herald-Leader – about Kentucky Wildcats top rated point guard De’Aaron Fox. Fox has been projected as a possible pick for the Kings with their number five selection in the NBA Draft.

Jerry and Charlie O discuss:

  • Fox’s character

  • His ability to play under adverse conditions

  • Fox’s rebounding ability

  • Is Fox a pass first or score first guard

  • What pro player is he most like

  • Should the Lakers take Fox over Lonzo Ball

You will gain some great insight from a reporter who followed Fox all season long.

 

 

That’s Amaury’s Podcast, News, and Commentary: LeBron-Curry the anticipated match up; plus A’s & Giants commentary

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AP File Photo: Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James, right, hugs Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry before an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

by Amaury Pi Gonzalez

The Warriors have had a week’s worth of a rest and you can bet the W’s key core of players Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, Stephen Curry, and Klayton Thompson are well rested and prepared for Thursday’s game in Oakland for the NBA Finals. There’s been talk that this team is like a machine and that this could be their best team ever. So the Warriors have something to prove to the whole world that they can win a second championship in three years. The only concern is that they might be too rested and the Cavaliers could be still on some adrenaline from the few short days that they beat the Boston Celtics in the third round of the playoffs.

There is a lot of anticipation that the Warriors and Cavaliers bring to the Finals this reminds me of the Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali fights this brings a lot of anticipation you have the east coast and the west coast teams. Cleveland who won last year and then you have the west coast the Warriors. Then you have two of the top players going head to head in this finals of Curry and LeBron. Those are two players bring a lot of acceleration to the finals and with all this in mind the players are really looking forward to series.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio voice for the Oakland A’s, is the Angels TV Spanish voice, and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

NBA Finals with Joe Hawkes Beamon: Warriors-Cavs III: By the numbers

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Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James dons a cap after winning 135-102 against the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals, on Thursday, May 25, 2017, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

OAKLAND, Calif — Like the rest of the sports world, I myself can’t wait for the start of the NBA Finals between the reigning champion Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors.

Both teams enter the Finals with a combined 24-1 record, first in NBA history.

Golden State buzz-sawed their way through the West seemingly untested by Portland, Utah, and San Antonio to a 12-0 record, the first team in NBA history to do so; while Cleveland went 12-1 in the East with their only loss coming in the conference finals against the young Boston Celtics, minus superstar Isaiah Thomas.

To be perfectly honest, both of these teams used the playoffs as a warmup for a Finals series that no true sports fan will miss a second of.

ABC, who has broadcasted the Finals since 2003, is hoping that Golden State and Cleveland provides another classic series for the ages.

According to viewership data obtained from Nielsen Ratings, the last two meetings in the Finals by Cleveland and Golden State have been the two-highest rated championship series broadcasted on ABC.

In 2015, an average of 19.94 million viewers per game watched Golden State win its first title in 40 years on the Cavaliers’ home floor by derailing LeBron James and Co. 4-2, with super-sub Andre Iguodala becoming an unlikely series MVP largely due to his defense on James.

Last season’s rematch did was no different, as an average of 20.28 million viewers per game tuned in to watch Cleveland return the favor by crawling back from a 3-1 deficit to steal the title from Golden State on the Warriors’ home floor in Game 7 last season.

Kyrie Irving’s dagger 3-pointer from the right side of the floor over Stephen Curry to seal the Cavaliers’ first championship in franchise history will forever live on in Finals’ lore.

Oracle Arena will no doubt be electric when the ball is tipped for Game 1 on Thursday night at 6:00 p.m. PDT between the two teams that many of us thought would be playing for the Larry O’Brien for a record-setting third year in a row.

When you dive into the numbers for both teams journey through the playoffs, they are nearly identical.

Offensively, Golden State had no trouble scoring points as they led all teams with 118.3 points per game. Cleveland was second in playoff scoring with 116.8 points per game. The Warriors, who love sharing the ball, is averaging 27.8 assists per game in the playoffs.

The Cavaliers were tops in field goal percentage (50.7), while Golden State were second in shooting at 50.2 percent from the floor.

Even though the Celtics made more three-pointers in the playoffs than any other team with 229, Cleveland is second with 190, followed by Golden State with 145.

With all due respect to Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson, the guy that Cleveland will need to stop will continue to be the aforementioned Curry, who in my estimation, is still the key that turns the engine on for the Warriors.

Think about this stat from NBA.com’s John Schuhmann, the Warriors have scored 122.5 points per 100 possessions with Curry on the floor and just 97.4 with him on the bench. The 25.1-point differential is the largest on-of differential among players who have logged at least 100 minutes in the playoffs.

Curry dropped 36 points in Golden State’s 129-115 victory in Game 4 of the conference finals against San Antonio that propelled the Warriors into their third straight Finals appearance.

For Cleveland, it usually begins and ends with James, who leads all Cavaliers players in points (32.5), assists (7.0), steals (2.2), and blocks (1.4), but Irving is just as vital to a Cleveland repeat as is James.

When James was forced to the bench with four fouls in the first half of Game 4 of the East Finals, Irving stepped up and took over the game like no other.

With James on the bench, Irving scored 19 points in under five minutes and 33 during a 19-minute stretch with an array of easy layups and pull-up 3s.

Even after rolling his left ankle in the game, Irving finished with a playoff career-high 42 points en route to a 112-99 victory that gave Cleveland a commanding 3-1 before ending the Celtics’ season in five games.

Cleveland’s 44-point win in Game 2 of the East finals at Boston is the highest margin of victory in the playoffs this year.

According to NBA.com, James (16) and Irving (12) have taken 28 of the team’s 35 shots in the clutch and are a combined 9-for-28 (2-for-10 from 3-point range). James is also just 4-for-9 on clutch free throws. His assist rate is more than twice as high in the first quarter (25.9 assists per 100 possessions used) than it is in the fourth (12.7). Irving’s assist rate is 23.0 in the first quarter and just 2.5 in the fourth. He has one assist in 59 fourth-quarter minutes.

It’s only four days away, but it feels like an eternity waiting for one of the biggest collisions in sports to arrive.

Take plenty of notes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Headline Sports with Tony Renteria: Warriors are the favorite in upcoming NBA Finals; LeBron will have his hands full with Curry and KD

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FILE – At left, in an April 20, 2017, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James smiles after hitting a basket against the Indiana Pacers during the second half of Game 3 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, in Indianapolis. At right, in a Feb. 27, 2017, file photo, Golden State Warriors’ Kevin Durant looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, in Philadelphia. Kevin Durant looks at LeBron James from afar and marvels at how the Cavs main man keeps finding a way to take his game to another level, year after year. (AP Photo/File)

On the Headline Sports Podcast with Tony R:

1.The Warriors who are 12-0 will face the Cleveland Cavaliers after the Cavs won in five games in their series against the Boston Celtics. Tony talks about how impressive the Cavs were in the last round against the Celtics.

2.The Cavs always a tough customer with the W’s in last year’s finals the Cavs came back three straight down 3-1 to win the whole thing in a miracle finish

3.The Warriors are also even better than last year’s finals with Kevin Durant. Tony talks how far he sees this NBA Finals going.

4.The Pittsburgh Penguins got the game winning goal after two overtimes against the Ottawa Senators when Sid the Kid Crosby found the back of the net in the second overtime to put the Pens in their second straight Finals

5.The Giants who played four games in Chicago and lost the last three will try and make amends tonight opening a three game series with the Atlanta Braves at AT&T Park

Tony does Headline Sports each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Golden State sweeps to a clean slate goes 12-0 in post season thus far with 129-115 series game four win over San Antonio

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) goes up for a shot after getting past San Antonio Spurs’ Patty Mills, center bottom, during the first half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, Monday, May 22, 2017, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

By Barbara Mason

Monday night the Golden State Warriors were looking for yet another sweep looking to retain their undefeated status in this years playoffs. San Antonio will be without their superstar Kawhi Leonard out with an ankle injury. Chances are slim to none for a Spur win without Leonard. It would be a struggle against the Warriors even if Leonard was able to play. Golden State is quite frankly entirely to deep.

The first half was all Warriors leading at one time by 20 points. Golden State was in the lead 65-51 after two quarters completely dominating although San Antonio was playing about as hard as they could despite their limitations. Curry and Durant both had 18 points and for the moment were looking to cruise to yet another win and going undefeated into the championship series against, in all likelihood, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

At the end of the third quarter the Warriors had a 96-78 lead and were one quarter away from their 3rd straight NBA finals. San Antonio played hard but Golden State was just too much for them. Not a single fan left this game with the possibility of this game being Manu Ginobili’s final game after a brilliant career. The crowd showed a lot of respect and admiration for their beloved Spurs cheering wildly as they left the court for the last time this season.

The final was 129-115 and the Warriors were off to the finals. This was the best start in NBA history for Golden State as they continue to blow-up existing records. Curry would finish with 36 points and Durant with 29. It was just another in a long list of brilliant wins for the Warriors as they celebrated the trophy presentation at AT&T Center.

The finals will begin at Oracle Arena on June 1st.

Dubs throttle the Spurs 120-108, lead the series three games to none

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by Jerry Feitelberg

The Dubs won their 11th straight playoff game, and third straight against the San Antonio Spurs Saturday night by a score of 120-108. The Spurs, without Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker, put up a spirited fight in the first quarter Spurs’ coach Gregg Popovich, having criticized the team for their play in game two, had them ready for this most important game. Had the Spurs won they would be down 2-1 and game four to be played Monday night in San Antonio. With a loss, however, the Spurs face the daunting task of beating the Dubs four straight.

Popovich, as mentioned above, wanted his team to get off to a good start and not play from behind. The first six minutes of the first quarter was very close. The Dubs led by seven 21-14 when the Spurs woke up and finished the quarter on a 19-8 run to lead 33-29. The two teams continued to slug it out in the second period. The game was tied five times. The Dubs defense took over, and Golden State was able to finish the first half with a nine-point lead 64-55. The Dubs offense was led by, of all people, JaVale McGee. JaVale tallied 16 points and was a force on both ends of the court. Klay Thompson woke up from his shooting slump and knocked down ten. Steph Curry also scored 10, and Kevin Durant added 14. Manu Ginobili, coming off the bench for the Spurs, was hot and kept the Spurs close with 13. Jonathan Simmons continued to torment the Dubs, and he helped out with 10. No other Spur player was in double figures. The Warriors outscored the Spurs 35-22 in the second quarter.

The Warriors scored 36 points in the third quarter behind the outstanding play of Kevin Durant. KD was unstoppable as he tallied 19 points to keep the Spurs at bay. The Spurs fought hard and refused to go down. They scored 33 and trailed 100-88 after three periods of play. The Spurs were still in the game, and they had 12 minutes left to take down the Dubs. Both teams are superb defensive units. The Spurs were not able to mount a rally. The Dubs couldn’t pull away either. The Dubs leading 103-95, at at a time when the Spurs could get something going, went on a 10-0 run to put the game out of reach. The Warriors extended the lead to 18 118-100 and coasted to a 120-108 victory.

Game Notes and stats. Steph Curry, with 21 points, become the Warriors’ franchise leader in postseason points, passing Hall of Fame player, Rick Barry.

Kevin Durant led the Warriors with 33 points. Steph had 21, Klay 17. KD had a double-double as he snagged ten rebounds to go along with his 33 points. JaVale did not score in the second half and finished with 16. Draymond Green had another solid game as he scored ten and had seven assists, seven rebounds, and two blocked shots. LaMarcus Aldridge, criticized for disappearing in game two, perked up in the second half and finished with 18 points, five rebounds, and two blocked shots.The Dubs held Simmons to just four points in the second half, and he finished with 14. Ginobili, the Spurs most effective weapon, scored 21 in a losing effort. Pau Gasol had a double-double for San Antonio with 10 points and ten boards. DeJounte Murray also tallied ten for San Antonio.

The Warriors shot 54.8% from the floor and mad 11 3-point shots. San Antonio shot 47.3% from the floor but made just 5 three in 22 attempts. Steph had five steals and the Warriors, as a team, had 12 in the game. They blocked six shots. The Warriors committed 21 turnovers and both interim coach Mike Brown and head coach Steve Kerr, who was in San Antonio, will have something to say about that before Monday night’s game.

The Spurs team leader, Kawhi Leonard, missed his third game due to a sprained ankle. Gregg Popovich said this about Leonard’ not being able to play. “He’s not thrilled he’s not playing, but he’s not ready.” The Warriors’ Zaza Pachulia did not dress for the game as he is nursing a sore heel. JaVale McGee and David West did a super job filling in for Zaza,

Game Four will be Monday Night at the AT&T Center in San Antonio. Game time will be at 6 pm.