Category: NBA

Seth Curry has career night in loss

Published on by Michael MartinezLeave a comment

by Michael Martinez

picture credit NBAE

SACRAMENTO- The Kings rested their three best players. Rajon Rondo, Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins all sat out Monday night in Portland. With that being said, there probably was not a ton of hope to get a win over the Trail Blazers who are battling for a playoff spot. The Kings lost to the Blazers 105-93.

Surprisingly though, the Kings stayed in the game for the first quarter. Sacramento played well, except Portland could not miss a shot even if they tried.

The Blazers broke it open in the second quarter going up by as many as 16 and shooting slightly over 55% from the field. But the third quarter is where things fell apart for the Kings.

While Portland only scored 23 points, the Kings shot a dismal 25% in the third quarter and scored a measly 11 points. The Kings turned the ball over seven times and could not buy a bucket. The Blazers led Sacramento by as many as 28 points and the Kings never really had a chance.

The fourth was the Kings chance to try and come back but the deficit was just too much, even though Portland shot under 30% in the quarter. Seth Curry scored 12 points in the quarter and finished for a career high of 21. Curry was really the only bright spot as the Kings perimeter defense wasn’t very tough. Portland almost shot 50% from beyond the arc, knocking down 14 shots from the perimeter.

Portland’s Allen Crabbe elicited exactly what the Blazers did tonight. He tied Curry for the game high with 21 points on 8-10 shooting, 3-4 from behind the three point line. The most difficult part of this loss is the fact that Damian Lillard only scored 13 points and the Kings still never had a chance.

Nonetheless, when the team’s three best players are resting, nabbing a victory is going to be pretty difficult. Yet again, the Kings’ defensive woes hurt them as Portland shot lights out.

Omri Casspi had a pretty good game with 18 points. Willie Cauley-Stein added 13 points and grabbed 14 boards as the rookie continues to play well. As the season winds down, this game shows just how important Gay, Rondo and Cousins are to the team. The Kings will take on the Washington Wizards at home this Wednesday at 7 p.m. Hopefully the Kings’ big three comes back and helps them get another win at home.

 

 

 

Kings will go with a short bench tonight in Portland

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

cuz at rest

by Charlie O. Mallonee

The Sacramento Kings have announced that four of their players will be held out of the game tonight in Portland versus the Trail Blazers. Rajon Rondo, DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay will not play as they will be “rested” by the team. Marco Belinelli who has a sore right foot will miss his second consecutive game.

With the team no longer in the playoff hunt, the Kings are trying to be smart about how they use their stars down the final stretch. The team has already started to limit the starters playing time in order to give younger players some much needed playing experience.

Rondo has been among the “walking wounded” for weeks. He has been suffering from a right first metatarsal-phalangeal joint sprain, better known as “turf toe”. Rondo has also been dealing with a right thumb sprain and right shoulder contusion.

DeMarcus Cousins has been suffering from a bruised right knee, ankle sprains and  tendinitis  in both feet. It has been reported that Cousins in planning to have a platelet rich plasma procedure after the season ends to deal with the condition. Cousins is planning to compete for a roster spot to play on Team USA in the Olympics.

A loss in Portland or in any of the nine remaining games actually benefits the Kings. If the Kings finish outside the bottom 10 teams in the NBA, their first-round draft pick would to go to the Chicago Bulls. The loss of a number one draft selection would be devastating to the rebuilding plans for the team.

No one is using the “tank” word, but there is not a sense of urgency to win all nine of the remaining games.

Who are these guys? Kings tame the Mavs 133-111

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment
NBA: Dallas Mavericks at Sacramento Kings
Photo Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY

by Charlie O. Mallonee

The Dallas Mavericks (35-38) came to Sleep Train Arena on Sunday as a team that needed a win to stay alive in the playoff hunt. The Mavs began the contest as the number nine team in the Western Conference. When the game was over, Dallas was still in ninth place one-half  game behind the Rockets for final spot in the playoffs.

The Sacramento Kings (29-44) really have nothing left to play for except for professional pride. The Kings made themselves proud on Sunday as they ran the Dallas Mavericks out of the building and won the game 133-111. It was the Kings second consecutive win on their home court in three days.

The Kings scored 30-plus points in three of the four quarters. Sacramento never trailed the Mavs in the game. The Kings put up a game-high 39 points in the third quarter.

That third quarter production is key because the Kings have been in many games this season where they played well in the first half only to fall apart in the third quarter. They did not suffer that kind of humiliation in this game.

This was a team victory. The Kings had eight players score in double figures and posted a season high 72 points off the bench. They shot 62.2-percent (51-for-82) from the floor for the game which is a season high. Sacramento shot 45.0-percent (9-for-20) from beyond the 3-point line.

The Kings had 32 assists and turned the ball over just 11 times for an outstanding 3-to-1 ratio. They recorded 11 steals and three blocked shots versus Dallas. Sacramento outscored the Mavs 68-46 in the paint.

This was a dominant performance against a team that is fighting for their playoff lives. If the Kings could have put together five to six games like this earlier in the season, they would fighting for a playoff berth.

Kings

The Kings leading scorer was – no it was not Cousins. Rookie Willie Cauley-Stein put up 21 points to lead the Kings in scoring. Cauley-Stein added seven rebounds and two assists to his line score. The Kings youngest big man also played some very tough defense in his 28-minutes of playing time.

DeMarcus Cousins did have another double-double game putting up 20 points and grabbing 12 rebounds to go with five assists and two steals. Cousins recorded those numbers in just 28 minutes on the floor.

Rajon Rondo had another double-double game scoring 11 points and dishing out 11 assists. Rondo turned the ball over just two times.

Darren Collison led the Kings scoring off the bench with 17 points. Collison shot 7-for-11 from the floor and added four assists plus one steal.

Seth Curry got his second consecutive start for Sacramento. The other Curry scored 14 points and added three assists and one steal. He scored all 14 of those points in the third quarter. Curry shot 4-for-4 from the floor, 2-for-2 from 3-point land and 4-for-4 from the free throw line.

Ben McLemore returned to the line up after having been out due to a finger tip injury. The shooting guard added 14 points hitting on 5-of-9 shots.

Casspi and Koufos scored 10 points each. Rudy Gay scored nine while Quincy Acy added seven points.

Mavericks

Dirk Nowitzki failed to dominate the game for Dallas. He scored 14 points but shot just 6-for-15 from the field. Nowitzki never seemed to get into the flow of the game on Sunday.

Guard Raymond Felton led the scoring for the Mavs with his 15 points. Felton also had five assists and two steals.

J.J. Barea put up 14 points. Former Warrior David Lee scored 12 points off the bench.

The Mavericks shot a respectable 47.7-percent (42-for-88) for the game. Dallas went 8-for-24 from behind the 3-point arc.

Up next

The Kings have to play the second game of a back-to-back on Monday night in Portland versus the playoff bound Trail Blazers. Sacramento is 3-14 in the second games of back-to-backs this season.

The Mavericks also have a back-to-back scheduled as they play the Nuggets on Monday night in Denver.

Kings down the Suns, end seven-game home skid

Published on by moepeaLeave a comment
Suns-Kings
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, drives to the basket against Sacramento Kings guard Seth Curry during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 25, 2016, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

By Morris Phillips

SACRAMENTO–Could rookie lottery pick Willie Cauley-Stein and D-League product Seth Curry be cornerstones for the Kings’ future in Golden One Arena?

If so, the possibility took flight in the Kings’ 114-98 rout of the Suns that ended the team’s seven-game skid at Sleep Train Arena on Friday night. Cauley-Stein came off the bench to score a career-best 26 points, and Curry contributed 12 in his first NBA starting assignment.

Cauley-Stein, labeled a plus defender with little offensive skill, took advantage of the Suns’ depleted frontcourt with clever footwork and jump shot that extended to the three-point arc. The rookie from Kentucky hit 11 of his first 17 shots. With his teammates howling encouragement, and the Kings comfortably ahead in the final minutes, Cauley-Stein missed his final two attempts from beyond the arc.

“When your teammates are telling you to score, shoot threes when you ain’t shot a three in your whole life, that’s cool,” Cauley-Stein said. “I’m really thankful for them.”

While Cauley-Stein concluded his stint Friday with a world of confidence, Curry started the evening looking to find his bearings. Steph’s younger brother missed his first four shots before canning four of his final six, finishing with 12 points.

“I had my rhythm, I just wasn’t making shots,” Curry said.

The Kings took control in the second quarter with a 33-point outburst that gave them a 58-48 lead at the half. They hadn’t won at home since February 19, a 116-110 decision over Denver.

DeMarcus Cousins led the Kings with 29 points, 11 rebounds in just 28 minutes of floor time. Rajon Rondo added 12 assists, setting the club record for assists in a season with his 789th. Marco Belinelli was felled by a foot injury during the game, and missed the entire second half.

While the Kings showed glimpses of their future, the Suns find themselves in full rebuild mode with rookie Devin Booker ranking as their leading scorer at almost 13 points a game. Booker led Phoenix with 26 points on Friday, but committed nine turnovers and picked up a technical foul in the second quarter when he got tangled up with Cousins.

The Suns shot just 37 percent from the field for the game, the 21st time this season they’ve made fewer than 40 percent of their shots as a team. Phoenix was without point guard Eric Bledsoe and frontcourt scorer T.J. Warren. Center Tyson Chandler and Brandon Knight were also late scratches paving the way for the Kings to break their long home losing skid.

The Kings continue their home stand on Sunday when the Dallas Mavericks make their final visit to Sleep Train Arena.

 

 

 

 

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Bogut’s return adds to the confidence of the team

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by David Zizmor

photo credit: pixgood.com–Golden State Warriors Andrew Bogut returned Wednesday and had a great night

OAKLAND–The Golden State Warriors Andrew Bogut who came back from his injury and missed two games returned on Wednesday night and it gave something the Warriors to be proud about as Bogut contributed greatly against the Los Angeles Clippers and everything helps especially when your in a game playing against a player like DeAndre Jordan of the Clippers. You need a big body like Bogut in there to be a little speed bump for Jordan.

The Warriors are great at home, they love playing in front of the home crowd and they have both of their remaining games at home and their looking to clinch home court advantage in the playoffs because let’s face it San Antonio is still breathing down the Warrior’s neck. The Warriors have about a three game lead right now which is sufficient given the way both teams are playing right now.

David Zizmor does the Golden State Warriors podcast each week for http://www.sportsradioservice.com and catch David on the Bob Benson show on fccfreeradio.com next Wednesday March 30th.

 

Golden State Warriors Wednesday game wrap: Warriors Cut Down Clippers

Published on by bentleonard18Leave a comment

By Ben Leonard

Photo credit: Noah Graham NBAE–Golden State’s Stephen Curry goes up against the LA Clippers on Wednesday night

Over the years, the newly-formed Warriors-Clippers rivalry has been extremely intense. Tempers have flared, barbs have been exchanged, and tension has risen.

But Wednesday, even though that traditional hype was strangely missing, the Warriors still found motivation to win on Wednesday, cutting down Los Angeles 114-98 at Oracle Arena. Stephen Curry had 33 points, Klay Thompson had 32, and Draymond Green tallied yet another double-double in the victory.

“It was kind of a dead atmosphere in there and it didn’t seem to have the same energy of the rivalry,” Warriors head coach Kerr said. “For whatever reason tonight didn’t have the same juice.”

But that didn’t stop the Warriors from taking care of business behind the Splash Brothers. Motivation seemed to stem from staying alive in the race to beat the Chicago Bulls’ record of 72 wins. With just eleven games remaining, all Golden State has to do is go 9-2 to beat Jordan’s record. They won’t back down and rest players — they’re going to gun for it.

Green exemplified this effort on Wednesday, dropping twelve points while pulling down twelve boards, hustling on the boards and playing hard defense to keep the Warriors ahead. More classic Warriors basketball: the Splash Brothers combined to shoot 11 of 20 from beyond the arc, and 24 of 44 from the field.

All in all, it was enough to give the Warriors their 33rd win at home this season — no team has ever finished a home slate with a perfect record. But if anyone is up to the task, it’s the Warriors.

 

Sacramento Kings Wednesday game wrap up: Turnovers cost Kings in Minnesota

Published on by Michael MartinezLeave a comment

by Michael Martinez

picture credit: NBAE– Minnesota Timberwolves Karl Anthony Towns (32) goes up on the Sacramento Kings Wednesday night

SACRAMENTO- The Kings had to play without DeMarcus Cousins after he injured his right knee in Monday’s contest in Chicago. As the Kings headed into tonight’s game, the team has struggled all season when he hasn’t suited up. Without the All Star center in the lineup, the Timberwolves looked to capitalize on that with their rookie center Karl Anthony Towns.

Towns had a huge game as DMC watched from the sidelines. The missing presence of Cousins in the middle allowed Minnesota to score a total of 64 points in the paint.

Sacramento was able to stay in the game for most of the game thanks to Rajon Rondo. Rondo totaled 14 points in the first quarter alone for his highest total in a quarter all season. The point guard kept the Kings in a good position all through the first half, as the T-Wolves led 50-48.

Minnesota broke it open in the third quarter as the the T-Wolves shot 70% from the field in the quarter. Sacramento was unable to play tough defense and allowed their opponent to out score them by ten in the quarter. Minnesota would lead 84-72 to end the the third.

The Kings did however try to make a come back to start the fourth. They were able to go on a 15-5 run and get the score to within two points at 89-87. But Minnesota was able to hit  A 6-0 run and open their lead back up. After getting back ahead, the T-Wolves never looked back and won by nine, 113-104.

The Kings turned the ball over 17 times, which led to 22 points for Minnesota. Towns totaled 26 points and 11 rebounds. Andrew Wiggins and Zach Lavine both added 23 more as the T-Wolves shot 56.3%. The Kings turnovers cost them the gave as they did get some good production out of other players. Kosta Koufus scored 15 points and grabbed 15 boards for a double double as he started in place of Cousins . Rondo finished with a team high 25 points and added 8 rebounds and 12 assists.

The three young Minnesota players dominated the Kings offensively and Sacramento missed DMC’s presence. With the season winding down, it could be interesting to see if the Kings can win a couple ball games for pride maybe just want to get a better lottery pick.

The Kings will head back to Sacramento after their 4 game road trip. They’ve struggled at home in the past month, but hopefully the team can pull out a couple more wins as the arena’s days come to an end. The Kings take on the Suns at home on Friday, March 25, at 7 p.m.

Kevin Johnson featured on HBO Real Sports

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

MAYOR JOHNSON

by Charlie O. Mallonee

Sexual innuendo, police investigations, hush money, possible cover ups and political intrigue. No that is the latest plot line of the television show, “Scandal”. It is the latest plot line of allegations directed at Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson.

On Sunday evening, the lead story on “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” was about Kevin Johnson and the allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior dating back 20 years. Real Sports is an investigative program that looks at various issues related to the sporting world and also profiles sports figures.

The investigative piece featured the stories of three women who have accused Johnson of unwanted sexual advances. One of the women is from the Phoenix area and her accusations date back to the time of Johnson’s playing days in the National Basketball Association.

The woman – who was 16-years old at the time – claims she saw Johnson as mentor before the NBA star changed the nature of the relationship. The woman went to the police who had her call Johnson in order to trap him into a confession. When that did not work, the investigation faded away.

Eventually, the woman and her family accepted a settlement for at least $200,000 in exchange for keeping the matter confidential. She now says accepting the money was a mistake. She also admits that money is now gone but claims she is speaking out because that is what should have happened 20-years ago.

The Real Sports story also features two young women who were students and then interns at the St. Hope Academy. Both claim that Johnson made unwanted sexual advances toward them.

REAL

Real Sports also focused on the stories of a former teacher and foundation employee at the St. Hope Academy and Foundation. They also claim to have knowledge of inappropriate sexual behavior by Johnson. Both individuals have resigned from their positions because of what they perceive as Johnson’s inappropriate actions.

The program also references a more recent incident where an employee in the Sacramento City Manger’s office claims Johnson made unwanted sexual advances  toward her. That employee put in a claim to receive $200,000 from the City of Sacramento because of Johnson’s actions. The city council voted to deny that claim.

Real Sports implied that the city employee may have received payment from Johnson.

Johnson recently announced that he would not seek a third term as Mayor of Sacramento. There is nothing specific to connect the accusations and the decision not to run but the timing of the events is interesting.

The man who kept the Kings in Sacramento, spearheaded the building of an new arena, has been a champion of innovative education, was an up and coming political figure and will soon be a NBA Hall of Famer is now the subject of some very negative news reporting that cannot be helpful to his future and legacy.

Because Real Sports is an HBO program, it will be repeated by the network multiple times giving readers a chance to watch the reports and draw their own conclusions.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Charlie O: Kings hoping to even up road trip with win in Minnesota

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photo credit: usatoday.com– Sacramento Kings Rajon Rondo had 13 assists  against the Detroit Pistons last Friday

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Charlie O the Kings were road tested in four games in Detroit, New York, Chicago, and at Minnesota. The Kings narrowly lost a seven point game to the Chicago Bulls on Monday night 109-107. They lost the game to Detroit 115-108 last Friday although they were in the game very late into the game it wasn’t like it was a runaway, they played pretty good basketball.

The Kings DeMarcus Cousins had 31 points in that game and ten rebounds with Rajon Rondo with his typical 13 assist game they played well but they just didn’t play well enough to win. The Kings know that on the road in the NBA your chances of winning are greatly diminished. The Kings play in Minnesota on Wednesday night for a chance to even up the road trip at 2-2.

Charlie O give you the very latest on the Kings listen below and always right here at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings Monday game wrap up: Kings Fall Again, Bulls 109-102

Published on by tonyrenteriaLeave a comment

By Tony Renteria

AP photo: The Chicago Bulls Derek Rose (1) goes up against the Sacramento Kings Rudy Gay (8) at the United Center Monday night

The Sacramento Kings headed into the Windy City on Tuesday evening and left the with another loss, 109-102 as they fell to the Chicago Bulls.

The Kings continue to add losses in this season that started with so much hope but has failed to live up to that hope the Kings fan for a full season under the leadership of Head Coach George Karl.

The Kings seem to be all stat line and no real staying power in the win loss column as tonight’s box score seemed to show, another double double for DeMarcus Cousins as he scored 19 points and added in 18 rebounds.

Rudy Gay added in 18 points of his own and Rajon Rondo put in 14 points with five rebounds while all three played over 30 minutes each.  But that is the Kings season, great offensive stats and another loss.

The hometown Bulls lead by Derrick Rose and and Forward Taj Gibson who both scored a team high 18 points to pace the winning Bulls.

The Bulls host the New York Knicks while the Kings continue their road trip as they head north to Minnesota to face the Timberwolves tomorrow night