Category: NBA

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings hope to rebound from loss on Sunday in Brooklyn

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The Boston Celtics Jayson Tatum (0) and the Sacramento Kings Trey Lyles (right) both reach for the rebound in the first half at the Boston TD Garden on Fri Apr 5, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Kings (44-33) faced an even greater challenge Friday night taking on the Celtics (61-16) in Boston. The loss of Malik Monk was a blow to the Kings. He suffered an MCL sprain and was declared out for four to six weeks. Friday Monk addressed the possibility of an earlier return saying that his knee is feeling a lot better than expected.

#2 After falling behind in the fourth quarter by as much as 18 points, the Kings fought back taking a one point lead 100-99 with 11 seconds left on the clock. The Celtics took back the lead 101-100 with 7.4 seconds left in the game.

#3 The Kings fought all night to come back from 18 to close the gap to one point they got help from leading scorer DeAaron Fox with 40 points and Domantas Sabonis had 16 rebounds and 16 points.

#4 The fourth quarter the Boston defense shut the Kings scoring attack down to just 17 points. The Celtics countered with 28 points in the one point win.

#5 The Kings next up are at Barclay Center in Brooklyn Sunday for a 4:30pm PDT tip. The Nets (30-47) are 11th in the Eastern Conference and battling to move up on 10th place the Atlanta Hawks. This game could be a get in the mud fight between the Kings and Nets.

Join Jeremiah Salmonson for the Sacramento Kings podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

#3

#1

Kings Lose By a Single Point to Boston 101-100 In a Heartbreaker

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The Boston Celtics Kristaps Porzingis (8) celebrates a three pointer next to the Sacramento Kings Harrison Barnes (40) during the first half at Boston Garden on Fri Apr 5, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (44-33) put it all out there Friday night but lost by a single point 101-100 to the Boston Celtics (61-16). With 7.4 second left in the game the Kings had possession. They took three shots and missed every one of them. They squandered a monster opportunity. De’Aaron Fox finished with 40 points in the lose.

Game recap: The Celtics extended their lead in the opening minutes of the third quarter quickly taking a 12 point lead 64-52. The Kings would have to battle back as they had done in the second quarter. Boston went on to outscore the Kings in the quarter 30-22 leading 84-72 with 12 minutes left in the game.

After falling behind in the fourth quarter by as much as 18 points, the Kings fought back taking a one point lead 100-99 with 11 seconds left on the clock. The Celtics took back the lead 101-100 with 7.4 seconds left in the game.

This was a crazy final sequence from Sacramento. De’Aaron Fox missed a 16-foot pullup jump shot; Murray got the offensive rebound and missed a seven-foot tip shot and a third Kings rebound.

Colby Jones missed a 4-foot tip shot and that was the game. Three chances and the Kings just could not pull it out. This loss was far more disappointing than their loss last night. They had a great opportunity to beat the best team in the NBA and failed.

The Kings outscored the Celtics in the fourth quarter 28-17 but just came up short. Fox had a superior game with 40 points. Domantas Sabonis finished with another double double, 16 rebounds and 16 points. Both Harrison Barnes and Keegan Murray did pick up their game a tad but 10 points from either of these guys is underperforming.

Sacramento fell into eighth place with this loss with the Lakers a half a game behind them in ninth place. The Kings are in a very shaky position right now, on a dangerous path. Luckily the Rockets are in 11th four games behind the tenth place Warriors should the Kings fall further down in the standings.

Thursday night the Kings lost to the New York Knicks after establishing a 21 point lead . The final in that game was 120-109 in favor of the Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Kings had a disappointing second half of basketball.

Game notes: The Kings faced an even greater challenge Friday night taking on the Celtics in Boston. The loss of Malik Monk was a blow to the Kings. He suffered an MCL sprain and was declared out for four to six weeks. Friday Monk addressed the possibility of an earlier return saying that his knee is feeling a lot better than expected. So an early return for Monk? Only time will tell but the Kings could sure have used him on Friday night.

Sunday evening the Kings move onto Brooklyn for a game with the Nets. The Kings do not want to lose a third game in a row. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 4:30 PM.

Warriors roll over Rockets 133-110; Curry and Thompson splash Houston with 29 pts each

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives on the Houston Rockets Aaron Holiday (left) in the first half at the Toyota Center in Houston on Thu Apr 4, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors were in Houston to play the Houston Rockets on Thursday night. The Rockets trailed the Warriors for the tenth seed in the NBA’s Western Conference by three games. The Warriors were looking to win their sixth in a row. Star forward Jonathan Kuminga did not play due to tendinitis in his knee. The Warriors will have Jonathan back Friday night when the Dubs meet the Dallas Mavericks. 

The Warriors, riding high on their five-game winning streak, were determined to maintain their momentum. They started the game with a commanding 13-4 lead, setting the tone for the rest of the match. The Rockets never had a chance to take the lead as the Warriors dominated the game from start to finish, securing a wire-to-wire victory with a final score of 133-110.

The Warriors’ Klay Thompson was a force to be reckoned with, leading the offense with 21 points in the first half. His five three-pointers were instrumental in the team’s 65-50 halftime lead. The Warriors’ impressive shooting performance, with a 61% field goal percentage and 11 three-pointers, helped them secure a comfortable lead. They won the first and second quarters with scores of 33-24 and 32-26, respectively. 

The Warriors did not relinquish the momentum in the third quarter. Trayce Jackson-Davis, in the starting lineup, played well, and Trayce made key baskets in the third quarter. Steph continued his excellence. Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski helped out on offense. The Warriors finished the third quarter with the lead 99-83.

The Warriors’ defense always kept the Rockets from coming close to taking the lead. The defense has come to life in the last six games. It held the opponents to under 100 points in the five-game winning streak. The Rockets did a little better, putting 110 points on the board Thursday night. The Warrior offense scored over 30 points each quarter to win, going away 133-110.

Game Notes: The Warriors are now 42-34 with the win. There are six games left on the schedule. If the season were to end today, The Warriors would be in the play-in tournament and have to win two games to be in the eight-team Western Conference playoffs. The Rockets are 38-38 and are virtually eliminated from making the play-in tournament. Should the Rockets tie the Warriors at the end of the season, the Warriors would go forward, as they own the tiebreaker. The Warriors won the season series 4-0 over the Rockets and have won 13 in a row over Houston,

Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry each scored 29 points to pace the Dubs’ win. Thompson made seven threes. Curry had six rebounds, six assists, and two threes. Trayce Jackson-Davis had his first 20-point game. Trayce had five rebounds and four assists. Andrew Wiggins added ten. The Rockets had four players in double figures. Jabari Smith had 24, Cam Whitmore, coming off the bench, 17, Jalen Green 13, and Fred VanVleet 10.

The Warriors are in Dallas on Friday night. The Warriors beat the Mavs 103-100 last Monday. The Mavs’ Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving will be ready to face the Warriors. The game will start at 5:30 pm.

Kings blow 21 point lead lose to Knicks 120-109 at MSG

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New York Knicks Josh Hart (3) takes to the basket against the Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis (10) and Trey Lyles (41) in the first half at Madison Square Garden in New York on Thu Apr 4, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

NEW YORK, NY. — The Sacramento Kings had their sights on beating the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden for the first time since 2019 and held a 21-point lead at one point on Thursday – only to blow it and lose 120-109.

“We have got to figure something out, I got to do a better job to help my team out with drawing

fouls or gamesmanship,” said Kings head coach Mike Brown.

Sacramento got off to an excellent start against the Knicks, who hours earlier announced that their star forward, Julius Randle, would undergo a season-ending surgery on his right shoulder.

In the first 15 minutes of the game, the Kings went 19-for-28 and led the Knicks 46-25. But the Knicks chipped away at the lead in the second quarter and went on a 16-2 run. By halftime, the Knicks had cut the Kings’ lead to 60-52.

With 8:11 left to play in the third quarter, Donte DiVincenzo made a three-pointer to put the Knicks down only 68-62, and the crowd at MSG went wild. Then with 4:09 to go in the quarter, Josh Hart made a slam dunk to put the Knicks within three points of the Kings at 79-76.

The Knicks took control of the game in the fourth quarter. De’Aaron Fox made a triple that extended Sacamento’s lead to 95-92 with 9:55 to go. But Jalen Brunson and Hart answered back with three-pointers of their own and carried New York on a 13-0 run putting them 105-95 over Sacramento midway through the quarter. 

“I just think defensively we weren’t getting stops,” said Fox. “Outside of the first quarter, they scored over 30-points in every quarter. We weren’t good defensively.”

Domantas Sabonis made a tip shot with 5:46 left in the game to cut the Knicks’ lead to 105-97, but Brunson made back-to-back baskets to extend New York’s lead to 12 points and the Kings were unable to catch up. Brunson received “MVP” chants from fans in the Garden.

“I thought we did a nice job of getting into the paint a couple of times and we got guys lifted,” Brown said. “But when you get a guy lifted in there like Jalen does, you just got to jump into his body and see if you can get to the free throw line.”

The Kings remain in the eighth seed with only six games left in the regular season and as other teams in the Western Conference inch closer to them including the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors. 

“The way that our conference is, you could win one or two games and be in six, you could lose one or two games and be in nine,” Fox said. “So obviously I think we let one get away, but we have to be focused on tomorrow,” Fox said.

The Kings (44-32) continue their roadtrip against the Boston Celtics (60-16) on Friday with tipoff at 4:30 p.m. PT, before returning to New York City to face the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. PT.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: No.10 Warriors hear No.11 Rockets footsteps in battle for play in spot Thursday night

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) scores on the Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic in second half action at Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Apr 2, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Golden State Warriors podcast with David:

#1 Close game Dave on Tuesday night, the Dallas Mavericks Luka Doncic triple doubled but the Golden State Warriors got by with a four point 104-100 win.

#2 The Warriors have over come plenty of adversity they struggled in March but as soon as the post season is around the corner they’ve turned it on winning five straight. Could they finish with a play in or better?

#3 Warriors open a two game road trip in Houston on Thursday night against the Houston Rockets (38-37). The Rockets are coming off two loses and they’ve had a hot run previously and are just behind the Warriors in 11th place trying to catch the Warriors for that last play in spot.

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

Sabonis unstoppable 22 points 20 rebounds as Kings defeat Clippers 127-106

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Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (10) center drives on the Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (right) in first half action at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Tue Apr 2, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Tuesday night inside Golden One Center. The Kings were coming off an off day on Monday after playing on Sunday at home. On Sunday, the Kings defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in blowout fashion, 127-106.

The Clippers were also coming off a win on Sunday. The Clippers defeated the Hornets in Charlotte by the final 130-118. The Kings and Clippers were set for tip-off on Tuesday at 7 PM PST. The Kings defeated the Clippers 109-95 on Tuesday night in front of a sold-out crowd.

In the first quarter, neither team got off to a fast start. The Kings and Clippers started slow on offense, as neither team found a rhythm in the first quarter. Both teams scored 24 points in the first quarter to remain tied after the first. Paul George and Keegan Murray started the game hot for their respective teams, scoring nine points each.

In the second quarter, the Kings offense took off. The Kings exploded to open up a 16-point lead in the second quarter. Fox and Davion Mitchell were firing on all cylinders early in the quarter to open the game up. However, the Clippers battled back to get the game closer at the midway point in the quarter, cutting the lead to six with 4:47 in the half.

For the rest of the quarter, the teams traded baskets to go into halftime, with the Kings leading 56-51. The Kings would take the five-point lead into halftime, looking to expand on it in the third quarter.

In the third quarter, the Kings had a breakout quarter from start to finish. The Kings offense went off for 35 points against a weak effort by the Clippers on the defensive end of the floor. The Kings, led by an aggressive Keegan Murray, would hold the Clippers to 19 points in the third.

The Kings would go into the final quarter of action leading 91-70. Keegan Murray was leading the Kings through three quarters with 19 points. Paul George had 18 through three-quarters of action for the Clippers.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings maintained the lead to defeat the Clippers. The Clippers outscored the Kings 25-18 in the game’s final quarter. However, it was to no avail.

The Kings would defeat the Clippers 109-95 to have a two-game win streak going before they head on the road. The Kings leading scorer in the game was Domantas Sabonis, who scored 22 points with 20 rebounds. Russell Westbrook led the Clippers with a 20-point performance.

Up Next: The Kings go on the road to take on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The Kings and Knicks will tip off at 4:30 PM PST on Thursday.

Warriors win thriller beat Dallas Mavericks 104-100

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Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates guard Klay Thompson (11) in the second half at Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Apr 2, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors (41-34), winners of their last four road games, returned home to face the Dallas Mavericks (45-30). The Mavs were also on a roll, having won seven straight. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are the Mavs’ scoring leaders. The Warriors came away with another win defeating the Mavericks on Tuesday night at Chase Center 104-100.

Doncic averages 34 points a game, and Irving averages 25 points a game. The Warriors’ game plan was to stop those two superstars and hope the defense could come through in crunch time. Dallas’ coach, who went to St. Joseph’s High School in Alameda and two years at Cal, wanted his team to put the clamps on Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

Both teams played wonderful defense. It was like a playoff game Tuesday night. There were several ties and several lead changes. The winner would not be determined until late in the game. The Warriors kept attacking the rim late in the game. The Mavs were called twice for goaltending. The Warriors held on to win 104-100.

The Mavs started strong, sinking three three-pointers to open the game. However, the Warriors, led by Andrew Wiggins’ impressive seven-point contribution in the first quarter, fought back to tie the game at 14. A crucial basket from Chris Paul at the end of the period gave the Warriors a narrow 28-27 lead. 

The Mavs led 34-28 when the Warriors went on a 19-2 run to lead 47-34. Dallas came roaring back. The Mavs finished the first half with a 15-2 run to tie the game 49-49. Doncic, with 17, and Kyrie Irving, with 12, punished the Warriors’ defense to force the tie.

The Mavericks started the third quarter with a 10-2 run to lead 59-51. Andrew Wiggins made two threes and two two-point buckets to tie the game 61-61. The Mavs scored the next seven points to lead 68-61. Behind Moses Moody’s two threes and buckets by Curry and Wiggins, the Warriors tied the game at 71-71. The Warriors outscored the Mavs 9-2 to finish the third quarter leading 80-74.

Each team knew a six-point lead was relatively easy to overcome in the fourth quarter. Could the Warrior’s stop Doncic and Irving? Would Thompson and Curry play well in the last 12 minutes? Would the bench players rise to the occasion? The Warriors answered all the questions in the affirmative.

Thompson started the quarter by making a steal and a three-point basket. Brandin Podziemski connected from downtown. Chris Paul and Wiggins each made a basket, and the Warriors led 90-79. Dallas responded with a 13-2 run to tie the game 92-92.

Thomson made a two-point bucket to stall the Dallas offense. Green made the next two baskets to put the Warriors ahead 98-92 with 1:48 left to play. Green made the defensive play of the night when he made a steal and then put the ball through the hoop at the other end to give the Warriors an eight-point lead 100-92.

Kyrie Irving hit a three, closing the gap to five points. Wiggins made it 102-95. The Mavs’ J P Washington connected from downtown to trail by four 102-98 with 25.9 seconds left. The Mavs’ strategy was to score quickly and then foul.

The Mavs blocked Thompson’s layup attempt, and Irving scored at the other end to make the score 102-100. The fans were biting their nail and were hoping the Warriors would find a way to win the game. The Mavs then fouled Thompson in the backcourt.

Thompson, was 92% from the free-throw line) cooly sunk two free throws. There was just 10.3 seconds left to play. Warrior’s head coach, Steve Kerr, made sure that his players knew not to foul anyone attempting to make a three-point shot. The Warriors’ defense met the challenge. Dallas was not able to get a shot off before the buzzer sounded. The Warriors win a thriller 104-100.

Game Notes: The Warriors are now 41-34 with the win. The Warriors have seven games left and have a three-game lead over the Houston Rockets for the tenth spot in the Western Conference. The Rockets lost to Minnesota Wednesday night and are 38-37.  

The Mavericks’ record is now 45-30. The Warriors extended their winning streak to five games, snapping the Mavs’ seven-game win streak.

The Warriors had six players in double figures. Andrew Wiggins led the Warriors with 23 points. Thompson and Paul each had 14. Curry had 13. Moses Moody had 12. Moody made four threes. Green added 11. 

The Warriors shot 44.6% from the floor. Each team made 15 threes. With the smallest team in the NBA, the Warriors outrebounded the bigger Mavs 57-48. 

Doncic led the Mavs with 30 points. Doncic also had a triple-double. Doncic pulled down 12 boards and had 11 assists. Irving finished with 27. P J Washington recorded 20 points, and he made three threes. Daniel Gafford was the only other Maverick in double-figures with ten. 

The Warrior bench outscored the Dallas Bench 39-13. 

The Warriors are back on the road again. The Warriors play the Houston Rockets Thursday night and then play the Mavericks again Friday night in Dallas.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria: No.7 Kings and No.4 Clippers battle tonight at Golden 1

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Sacramento Kings Domanta Sabonis (left) is defended by the Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (right) in the first half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Sun Mar 31, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 Harrison Barnes scored 24 points and scored 16 key points in the third quarter to lead the Sacramento Kings to a huge 39 point third quarter rally to help the Kings get past the Utah Jazz last Sunday 127-106.

#2 The Kings were short handed and Barnes came through with some crucial scoring in the third quarter and the Kings offense just seemed to have their way with the Jazz there was no stopping that offense who ran up the score like that.

#3 Top scorers on the Kings were Keegan Murray with 25 points and DeAaron Fox had 24 points and 12 assists but pretty got their shots and were a path for the Kings win Sunday.

#4 Barnes said that coach Mike Brown said that everyone pretty much had the green light and go out there and be aggressive and shoot with confidence.

#5 The Kings host the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night at Golden 1. The Clippers are fourth place in the Western Conference having won three straight and won six of their last ten games. The Kings have also won six of their last ten games. How do you see this match up tonight?

Join Tony Renteria for the Kings podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Each game is crucial nine games left as Warriors try to hold onto a play in position

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Golden State Warriors Draymond Green (23) makes a point to let all on the floor know he just scored a basket against the San Antonio Spurs at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Sun Mar 31, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara:

  1. With the season rapidly winding down, only nine games left, every game is critical on this road trip which is an important one for the Warriors.

2. After a misstep a couple of games ago Draymond Green has come back with a vengeance playing some of his best basketball of the season. He was a huge part of this win.

3. Green had a lot of help with of course his partners Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry. The Warriors continues to miss Jonathan Kuminga but hopes are that he is close to returning possibly Tuesday night against the Mavericks..

4. The Spurs gave the Warriors a run for their money in the fourth quarter San Antonio led by the amazing Victor Wembanyama.

5. Tuesday night the Warrior are back home at Chase Center taking on the fifth place Dallas Mavericks.

Join Barbara Mason for the Golden State Warriors podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors Sneak Past Spurs 117-113

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The Golden State Warriors Draymond Green (23) looks to find someone to pass the basketball to against San Antonio Spurs defenders Tre Jones (23) and Cedi Osman at Frost Bank Arena in San Antonio on Sun Mar 31, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Golden State Warriors (40-34) got a bit of a slow start in their game against the San Antonio Spurs (18-57) Sunday afternoon. It was the third quarter that was the deciding factor in this game. They outscored the Spurs 37-21 in the third and every one those points were needed as they went into the fourth quarter.

The Spurs got to within two points in the final minute of play but Golden State held on for the 117-113 win. Draymond Green played a huge role in this game offensively and defensively.

Game recap: This was a tale of two halves. The Spurs got a solid start in the game leading after the first 12 minutes 34-27. San Antonio went on to barely outscore the Warriors in the second quarter 26-25 leading at the half by eight points 60-57.

Golden State turned the tables in the third quarter playing with some incredible intensity. They hit 14 of 24 shot attempts, made five free throws and only had one turnover. The Warriors outscored the Spurs by a landslide 37-21 turning a halftime eight point deficit to an eight point lead 89-81 going into the fourth quarter.

The Spurs did continue to fight and early in the fourth quarter San Antonio had pulled to within five points 94-89 with 8:49 left in the game. Green was having a terrific game with 20 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists and six steals.

After this long road trip, a game like this was exactly the kind of game the Warriors needed. Everyone was on board for this game. With under one minute left in the game the Spurs trailed by two points 113-111. Klay Thompson hit a critical three to give the Warriors a 116-111 lead with 28.6 left in the game.

Victor Wembanyama hit a couple of free throws for a one possession game with 3.2 left on the clock. Draymond Green hit 1 of 2 from the line giving the Warriors a 117-113 lead and that would be the final. The Warriors had completed a 4-1 road trip as they head home to Chase.

The Warriors had a terrific third quarter but the Spurs refused to back down winning the fourth quarter 32-28. Golden State barely squeaked by for the 117-113 win. Curry had the team high with 33 points.

This was an amazing showing from Green who continues to play some terrific offense and defense. He finished this game with 21 points, 6 rebounds, 11 assists and 6 steals. He was a huge force in this game.

Golden State had 15 steals in the game and shot for almost 49% from the field and hit 16 shots from beyond the arc. The Warriors finished with 42 points in the paint. Hopefully the team will see Jonathan Kuminga back on the court sooner rather than later. He could possibly take the court Tuesday night when the team takes on the Mavericks.

The Spurs Wembanyama finished with an amazing 32 points. He is a force to reckon with every time he takes the court. The kid is special and at 7’4″ he improves with every game.

Game recap: Easter Sunday afternoon the Warriors traveled to San Antonio taking on the Spurs. The Warriors had to keep an eye on Wembanyama throughout the game. Wembanyama is always a threat being one of the brightest young stars in the game today. The Warriors took the court without Kuminga still out with bilateral knee tendinitis. This is his third straight missed game. In Sunday’s game, the Warriors got road win number 22.

As this current road trip comes to an end, the Warriors will now head home to Chase Center to take on the Dallas Mavericks. Tipoff for the game is scheduled for 7:00 PM and can be viewed on TNT.