Category: NBA

Barnes 13 point 3rd quarter gets Kings 127-116 win over Jazz at Golden 1

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis (left) gets the throw down on the Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) in first half action at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Sun Mar 31, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings defeated the Utah Jazz on Sunday night at Golden One Center 127-116. The Kings were coming off two bad losses to the Dallas Mavericks in search of getting back on track. The Kings and Jazz were set for tip-off at 7 PM PST at Golden One Center on Easter Sunday.

In the first quarter, the Kings gained a quick lead against the Jazz. The Kings outscored the Jazz in the first quarter 27-23. The Jazz offense quickly got everyone involved. The Jazz had seven scorers in the first quarter. On the other hand, the Kings Keegan Murray started hot, scoring 10 points to lead the Kings in the first quarter. The Kings didn’t show a lot of superiority so far in a game played against a largely injured Jazz squad. The Kings would look to take over the game in the second quarter.

In the second quarter, the Kings couldn’t create the separation they wanted. The Kings and Jazz scored 29 points in the second quarter, and the Kings remained up by four points. Collin Sexton led the Jazz in the second quarter, adding nine points. Domantas Sabonis got the offense going for himself in the second quarter, scoring nine points. The Kings would go into halftime with a 56-52 lead. It was an underwhelming half from the Kings, who would look to jump out ahead in the third quarter.

In the third quarter, the Kings went on an offensive terror. The Kings put up a mammoth 39 points in the third quarter to expand the lead with Harrison Barnes contributing 13 points. The Jazz scored 25 points in the third quarter to dig themselves a big hole going into the final quarter.

The Kings would take a 95-77 lead into the final 12 minutes. Keegan Murray and De’Aaron Fox were leading the Kings in scoring through three quarters with 20 points each. Brice Sensabaugh was leading the Jazz with 19 points.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings did what they needed to maintain the advantage and come away with a win. The Kings didn’t blow the Jazz off the court in the fourth as they did in the third. However, the Kings held on and defeated the Jazz 127-106.

The Kings played well in the second half and took care of a team they were expected to beat going into the game. The Kings outscored the Jazz in the final quarter 32-29. The leading scorer for the Kings in victory was Keegan Murray, who scored 25 points. Fox and Barnes had 24 points each. Sensabaugh and Sexton led the way for the Jazz in defeat, scoring 22 points.

Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the LA Clippers on Tuesday at 7 PM PST inside Golden One Center.

Exum hits 3 pointer and Irving leads with 30 as Mavericks upend Kings 132-96

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) scores on the Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) in the second half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Fri Mar 29, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Friday night inside Golden One Center in Sacramento. The Kings and Mavs were set to play for the second time this week after the Mavs routed the Kings 132-96 on Tuesday evening. The Mavs and Kings were both coming off two days of rest and ready for a rematch of Tuesday night. The game tipped off at 7 PM PST.

GAME RESULT: In the first quarter, the Kings got off to a quick start offensively. The Kings outscored the Mavs in the first quarter 34-26. Harrison Barnes and Keon Ellis started the game red-hot with 11 points each in the first quarter. The Kings were playing a much more physical style of basketball than they did on Tuesday.

In the second quarter, the Kings kept up the intensity to limit good shots on the Dallas end of the floor. However, Luka and the Mavs kept the game within reach while withstanding the Kings push. The Kings outscored the Mavs by a point in the second quarter, 26-25.

Harrison Barnes continued his hot start, adding six more in the second to finish the half with 17 points. Kyrie Irving led the Mavs in the first half with 14 points. The Kings led going into halftime 60-51.

In the third quarter, the Kings held the edge. The Kings and Mavs traded baskets all quarter to end up in the same place as they started the quarter. The Kings and Mavs both scored 22 points in the quarter for the Kings to maintain the nine point lead. Luka Doncic was leading the way for the Mavs, and De’Aaron and HB both had 17 points to end the third. The Kings would lead 82-73 going into the fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Mavs came storming back. The Mavs came back to take a 99-98 lead with 3:45 left to play. The Kings squandered another lead, hoping to regain momentum and not drop both games to the Mavs at home.

The Kings couldn’t regain the lead and lost to the Mavs 107-103. Fox led the Kings in defeat with 23 points. The Mavs outscored the Kings 34-21 in the fourth. Kyrie Irving led the Mavs with 30 points.

Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the Jazz at 6 PM PST.

Warriors Easily Handle Hornets 115-97; Curry scores 23 to lead Golden State

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

By Barbara Mason

The Golden State Warriors (39-34) beat the struggling Charlotte Hornets (18-55) Friday night. The Hornets got close a few times in this game but could not handle the Warriors despite Golden State being without Jonathan Kuminga and Klay Thompson. The final score was 115-97.

Game recap: The Warriors were off to the races from the start of the first quarter leading after the first 12 minutes 26-17. The Hornets pushed back outscoring Golden State in the second quarter 28-24 and at halftime Golden State had a 50-45 lead.

This game was close partially due to the eight turnovers in the first half by the Warriors but the good news for Golden State was that they had held the Hornets to 36% shooting. With the Warriors shooting around 51%, 36 % will not win very many games.

The Warriors really pushed this game out in the third quarter after the Hornets pulled to within six points. After the first seven minutes of the quarter Golden State began to take this game away leading 77-59. After three quarters, the Warriors had this game well in hand, despite the drama that has plagued the team, leading 89-71. The Warriors were 12 minutes away from their 21st win on the road.

The Warriors upped their intensity mid-way through the fourth quarter leading 108-87. The final was 115-97 in favor of Golden State. For the third straight game, the Warriors had held their opponent to under a 100 points. With this season winding down there can be no further missteps this season and they really did a number on Charlotte Friday. Golden State is on a roll right now. They are 13-3 on their last 16 road trips.

Stephen Curry had the high with 23 points and Andrew Wiggins continues to step up scoring 20 points with eight rebounds. Off the bench Moses Moody had 15 points and he was 4 of 5 from beyond the Arc. Draymond Green came back well in this game with eight points and eight rebounds. Trayce Jackson-Davis and Chris Paul also scored double digits. This was a true team win with everybody chipping in.

Post game notes: Friday night the Warriors took on the Hornets for the second time this season. The Warriors won the first game back on February 23 by the score of 97-84. They won this game but Golden State has seen far stranger things especially since the season is winding down.

The Warriors are reeling after Green had his fourth ejection of the season. Green did say that he deserved to be ejected but the question still remains why does this keep happening?

This is a critical time of the season for the Warriors and they can ill afford any more blow-ups from Green while they are fighting to remain relevant in the playoff picture. They are currently fighting to remain in the tenth place.

Despite the ejection, the Warriors stepped up big time against a very tough Orlando Magic winning that game 101-93. Andrew Wiggins was a huge part of the win scoring the team high of 23 points.

The Hornets are struggling this season but had a huge win over the Cleveland Cavaliers Wednesday night. The Warriors played without Kuminga who continues to miss another game with left knee soreness and Thompson who missed tonight’s game with right knee tendinitis.

The Hornets LaMelo Ball will miss the remainder of the season with ankle tendinopathy. He has not played since January 26th and originally was injured last year on November 26th. He has missed so many games this season and is a large part of the struggles that Charlotte has had.

Easter Sunday afternoon the Golden State Warriors will take on another struggling team in the San Antonio Spurs. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 4:00 PM.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Mavs and Kings match up for a second time at Golden 1 tonight

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) looks to pass the ball against the Sacramento Kings (center) Alex Len (25) in the first half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Thu Mar 28, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 How important is it for the Kings to shut down Luka Doncic tonight against the Dallas Mavericks at Golden 1 Center.

#2 The Mavericks Doncic scored a leading 28 points against the Kings last Tuesday at Golden 1 in the Mavericks 132-96 win.

#3 Doncic with the hot hand also added 11 rebounds and six assists and had three steals. Doncic is a difficult player to defend.

#4 The Mavericks have now won five straight games and are looking for a sixth. The Kings have home floor advantage tonight at Golden 1. What is the top game plan or Kings head coach Mike Brown tonight is it shutting down Doncic and trying to keep the Mavericks guessing on defense?

#5 Do you find it advantageous for the Kings to face the Mavericks in back to back games in having seeing last Tuesday or a disadvantage because the Mavericks have an idea how to run the table against the Kings after seeing them this week?

Join Jeremiah for the Kings podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings blown out by Mavs 132-96

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) is defended by the Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis right and forward Keegan Murray (left) in the first half at American Airlines Arena on Tue Mar 26, 2024

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Tuesday night. The Kings welcomed the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night. The Kings were on the second night of a back-to-back as they defeated the 76ers on Monday. Dallas was also on the second night of a back-to-back after defeating the Utah Jazz on Monday night. The Kings and Mavs tipped off at 7 PM PST. The Kings were blown out at home by the final of 132-96.

In the first quarter, the Kings and Mavs got off to an uneventful start. The Kings and Mavs both started the game looking a bit tired. It made sense, as both teams were coming off a back-to-back. The Kings scored 28 points in the first quarter. The Mavs scored 31 points in the first quarter to take a quick three-point lead in the game. Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray, and Keon Ellis had seven points in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Mavs were able to extend the lead over the Kings. Granted, the lead would only grow by two points. The Mavs outscored the Kings 27-25 in the second quarter. The Kings really struggled to contain Luka Doncic in the first half, as he scored 26 first-half points. The Kings got a 14-point first half from De’Aaron Fox as he tried to counter Luka Doncic. The Mavs would lead 58-53 over the Kings going into halftime.

In the third quarter, the Mavs ballooned the lead over the Kings. The Mavs outscored the Kings 38-23 in the third quarter. Doncic had a relatively quiet quarter, but it was Kyrie Irving who did the bulk of the damage. Kyrie had 12 points in the third quarter. The Kings would go into the final quarter of action trailing 96-76.

In the fourth quarter, it was all but finished for the Kings. The lead continued to get out of hand as the game came to a conclusion. The Kings would lose the game 132-96. The Kings were outscored in the fourth quarter 36-20. The Kings leading scorer in defeat was De’Aaron Fox, who had 18 points. The Mavs got their best performance from Luka Doncic, who scored 28 points. The Mavs outscored the Kings 74-43 in the second half of the game.

Up Next: More Mavericks. The Kings stay home to take on the Dallas Mavericks on Friday at 7 PM PST inside Golden One Center.

Warriors get much needed win beat Heat 113-92; Thompson with 28 pts in win

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Guard Klay Thompson (11) takes a lay up to the hoop for the Golden State Warriors against the Miami Heat’s guard Patty Mills (88) at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Tue Mar 26, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors (37-34) got a much-needed win Tuesday night, beating the Miami Heat (39-33) 113-92. The Warriors’ head coach, Steve Kerr, inserted Klay Thompson back into the Warriors’ starting lineup.

Thompson had played well coming off the bench. Kerr knew the Heat had several key players unavailable for Tuesday’s game. Jimmy Butler was out with an illness. The Heat’s best three-point shooter, Duncan Robinson, could not play due to a back problem. Tyler Herro and Kevin Love were sidelined due to foot injuries.

The Heat used a full-court press to slow down the Warrior’s offense. Rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis did not play as he was not feeling well. Kerr had Kevon Looney replace Trayce in the second unit. Looney tallied seven points and pulled six rebounds in 18 minutes of playing time.

The Warriors knew the keys to the game were playing well on defense, not committing fouls, and not turning the ball over. The Warriors accomplished all three tasks.

The Warriors had an early eight-point lead in the first quarter, 20-12. The Heat’s Bam Abedayo made three consecutive two-point buckets to make it 20-18. The Heat finished the quarter leading 26-24. Each team scored 29 points in the second quarter.

Abedayo and Haywood Highsmith paced the Heat’s offense. Each player tallied 13 points in the first half. Klay Thompson, with 15, was the only Warrior in double figures in the first half. Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins each had seven. Jonathan Kuminga added eight. The Warriors trailed by two, 55-53, after two periods of play.

The Warriors came to play in the second half. Golden State won the third quarter 32-20. Thompson, Wiggins, and Curry were the players who took the Warriors to a ten-point lead, 95-85, at the end of the third quarter. Kuminga added to the Warriors’ offense in the fourth quarter.

Kuminga went high over the rim to score a basket after a three-point shot bounced high. The Warrior bench could not believe Kuminga’s athleticism on the play. The Warriors outscored the Heat 28-17 in the fourth quarter to win 113-92. 

Game Notes: With the win, the Warriors are 37-34. The Heat fell to 39-33.

As a team, The Warriors shot 55% from the floor. The Warriors made 13 threes in 38 tries. The Heat was eight for thirty-three from downtown. The Warriors’ defense held the Heat to 41% from the floor. The Warriors had six steals and five blocks.

Golden State committed ten turnovers, and the Heat only made ten of 13 free throws. The defense held the Heat to 37 points in the second half. Kerr’s game plan worked to perfection. 

The Warriors won their 19th road game and avoided a fourth-quarter collapse. They had lost eleven times after leading by ten or more points after the third quarter.

Thompson led the Warriors with 28 points, connecting on six threes. Kuminga had 18 points and seven rebounds. Wiggins had 17 points and seven boards, and Curry also had 17 points and six assists.

The Heat had six players in double figures: Abedayo had 24, Terry Rozier and Haywood Highsmith had 15, Nikola Jovic had 11, Jaime Kaquez had 12, and Caleb Martin had 10.

The Warriors play again Wednesday night in Orlando. The Magic lead the Southeast Division with a record of 42-29. The Warriors need to be at their best to get a win. The game will start at 4 pm.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria: Sabonis’ 25th triple double joins elite club of NBA players

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) is doubled teamed by the Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul Reed (44) and guard Buddy Hield (17) in the second half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Mon Mar 25, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 Tyrese Maxey had a game-leading 21 points in the first quarter. Not far behind Maxey was Keegan Murray, who scored 17 points. 

#2 Domantas Sabonis scored his 25th triple double of the season, Sabonis also had 11 points, 13 rebounds, with 10 assists.

#3 Sabonis’ accomplishments makes him the fifth player all time for NBA players who have scored 25 triple doubles or more in a season joining Nikola Jokic, Russell Westbrook, Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson.

#4 Kings head coach Mike Brown said that Sabonis is having a phenomenal. Coach Brown said that Sabonis should have been first, second or third NBA All Star or have earned the MVP. Despite all his work he gets very little national attention.

#5 The Kings host the Dallas Mavericks on tonight at Golden 1. It’s back to back nights for the Kings they have the home court advantage. Mavericks (42-29) have won four in a row coming into tonight’s game and have won seven of their last ten games. The Kings (42-29) have the same identical record as the Mavericks and have won two in a row coming into tonight’s game.

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

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Warriors hear the Rockets footsteps for that last play in spot

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr looks befuddled over the Warriors trying to hold onto tenth place in the Western Conference. Kerr was seen here coaching against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Mon Mar 25, 2024 at the Target Center in Minneapolis (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with David:

#1 The Warriors had only 12 minutes left in the game before they had a chance to move into the win column but their star player guard Stephen Curry sat on the bench for five of those 12 minutes and the Warriors went down to a four point 114-110 loss at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Monday night.

#2 With the loss the Warriors lead over the 11th place Houston Rockets is down to just one game. The Rockets are coming on strong they’ve won nine straight games and they’re coming for the Warriors for the tenth place spot.

#3 The Warriors take on the Miami Heat tonight in Miami, the Heat are seventh in the Eastern Conference and have lost six of their last ten games. How do you see the Warriors chances going into this one tonight?

David Zizmor podcasts the Golden State Warriors each Wednesday at http://www.sporrsradioservice.com

Sabonis leads Kings with 25th triple double in 109-107 victory over Magic at Golden 1

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Orlando Magic guard Tyrese Maxey (left) drives to the basket against the Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis (right) in the first half at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Mon Mar 25, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Monday. The Kings were back on the court after an off day on Sunday. The Kings had last played against the Orlando Magic on Saturday in Orlando.

The Kings beat the Magic 109-107. On the other hand, the Kings welcomed the Philadelphia 76ers, who had last played on Sunday in Los Angeles against the Clippers. The 76ers defeated the Clippers 121-107. The Kings and 76ers tipped off at 7 PM PST at Golden One Center. The Kings defeated the 76ers on Monday by the final of 108-96.

In the first quarter, it was the Tyrese Maxey and Keegan Murray show. Tyrese had a game-leading 21 points in the first quarter. Not far behind Maxey was Keegan Murray, who scored 17 points. The Kings outscored the 76ers in the first quarter 31-25. The Kings would look to maintain Maxey in the second quarter.

In the second quarter, the Kings did a solid job on Tyrese. Maxey only managed five points in the second quarter as the Kings ballooned the lead on the 76ers. The Kings outscored the 76ers 29-23 in the second quarter. The Kings went into halftime leading 60-48. Keegan Murray led the Kings in the first half with 19 points. Tyrese Maxey led all scorers with 26 points in the first half.

In the third quarter, the Kings continued to put pressure on the 76ers. The Kings expanded the lead on the 76ers by outscoring them 23-20. The Kings would go up 83-68 entering the final quarter. The Kings leading scorer through three quarters was Keegan Murray with 21 points. Tyrese Maxey was still the leading scorer for Philly with 26 points. In the third quarter Domas Sabonis recorded his 54th striahgt double-double a league leading record the last 50 years.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings managed to hold on and seal the deal. The Kings held on to defeat the 76ers by the final of 108-96. The Kings were outscored in the final quarter 28-25. The Kings leading scorers in the game were De’Aaron Fox and Keegan Murray who each had 23 points. Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers in defeat with 29 points. The Kings got a much needed win against an opponent they should have beaten on paper without start Joel Embid.

Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the Dallas Mavs on Tuesday at 7 PM PST.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors tip off with Heat Tuesday in Miami

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Stephen Curry guard Golden State Warriors (30) takes a shot in the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Sun Mar 24, 2024 (AP News photo)

On Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason:

  1. The Warriors are fighting for their playoff lives. They faced a tough game against the Minnesota Timberwolves who are currently playing without Karl-Anthony Towns. They will be facing the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic this coming week so they are facing a lot right.

2. The Timberwolves struggled early in Sunday’s game while the Warriors came out strong. Both teams played very well throughout the game but it was the crazy triples that the Timberwolves hit that spelled the difference as well as their defense.

3. The Warriors had a great first half but started to stumble in the second half. They needed to avoid a mental lapse and unfortunately they had a lapse to start the fourth quarter. Both teams had lapses in this game but it was Minnesota that pulled it all together in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

4. Although the Warriors lost this game, they had four of their starters in double digits as well as Klay Thomson with 16 off the bench. They put out a great effort but just fell short.

5. The Warriors now face a couple of tough assignments on the road in Florida. First up will be the Miami Heat on Tuesday night. With 12 games left in the season every game matters and the Warriors are faced with some huge challenges. They are looking at roughly nine really tough games but no team can be overlooked right now.

Listen to the Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com