Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Durant makes it look easy guides Suns with 32 pts; Paul ejected goes after ref

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant drives on the Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Wed Nov 22, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Jerry F:

#1 The Phoenix Suns Kevin Durant showed his old teammates over at Golden State how it’s done leading the Suns with 32 points and had the hot hand in his shot selection.

#2 Jerry, Durant also grabbed eight rebounds two assists. The Suns took advantage of Durant’s offense and the Warriors were once again frustrated.

#3 The Warriors Chris Paul was given one technical with just 32.2 seconds left in the first half for a lengthy discussion with official Scott Foster. After Foster started to walk away from Paul, Paul continued to jaw with Foster and picked up another technical and was ejected.

#4 There was more Paul went after Foster and Warrior teammates had to get between Foster and Paul before something worse was going to go down.

#5 The Warriors have now lost five out of their last six games. The Warriors host the San Antonio Spurs at Chase Center on Friday night for a 7:00pm tip. The Spurs are a current four game losing streak and hope to end the streak in San Francisco. How do you see this match up Friday night.

Join Jerry F for the Golden State Warriors podcast Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Suns hold off a Warrior fourth quarter rally to win 123-115

The Phoenix Suns guard Devon Booker (1) drives on Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podzienic (2) at Footprint Center in Phoenix on Wed Nov 22, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors (7-9) were in Phoenix to take on the Phoenix Suns (9-6) Wednesday night. The Warriors snapped a six-game losing streak Monday night and hoped to get their second win in a row. The Suns had other thoughts. It was a strange game.

The Warriors won the first and fourth quarters. The teams tied in the third quarter. What happened in the second quarter won the game for the Suns. The Suns’ defense held the Warriors to 16 points. Phoenix put 37 points on the board and put the Warriors in a deep hole.

Other things that happened in the second quarter led to the Warriors losing the game. The Warriors committed nine turnovers and too many fouls, and with 23 seconds left in the first half, Paul fouled Kevin Durant. Paul complained to referee Scott Foster.

Paul and Foster have a long history, and when Paul said something Foster didn’t like, Foster tagged Paul with two technical fouls. In Addition, Warriors head coach, Steve Kerr, was tagged with a technical. Devin Booker made three free throws. Durant made his two for a five-point play. The Suns finished the second quarter on a 23-5 run to lead by sixteen at the end of the first half. 63-47.

The Warriors needed to find a way to get back into the game. With Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Andrew Wiggins on the floor to start the third quarter, the Warriors were hoping to go on a run to get back into the game. Things did not go well for the Warriors.

The Suns’ defense bottled up Curry. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker led the Suns’ offense. The Suns increased the lead to 23, 83-60. Kerr decided to let his second unit play. The youngsters performed well. At the end of the period, the bench chopped off seven points from the Phoenix lead to trail by 16, 91-75

16-point deficits going into the fourth quarter can be overcome. If the team gets hot and the defense makes stops, the team could pull out a win. The defense of the Warriors had to stop Durant, Booker, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little, and Josh Okogie. The Warriors came close to pulling off the upset.

Moses Moody, Dario Saric, Cory Joseph, and Brandin Podzienic put on a show for Coach Kerr. The Warriors closed to within three points, 118-115. Time was not on the Warriors side. There were only 19 seconds left in the game. To get possession of the ball, they had to foul. Booker and Durant went to the free-throw line and iced the game for Phoenix. 123-115 was the final score in favor of the Suns.

Game Notes: The Warriors have lost seven of the last eight games, and their record falls to 7-9. The Suns improved to 9-6. 

The Warriors were without Draymond Green and Gary Payton II. Green has one more game left on his five-game suspension. Payton has a sprained ankle and is unsure when he will return. The Suns’ Bradley Beal was out with back issues.

The Warriors lost the game at the free-throw line. The Suns made 44 free throws in 52 tries. The Warriors made 19. That 25-point difference was sufficient to win the game for Phoenix. The Suns scored 27 points off turnovers. The Warriors had 17. Add that two-point differential, and the Warriors gave the Suns 35 points. 

The Warriors took 90 shots compared to the Suns’ 76. Thompson led the Warriors with 23 points. Curry was held to 16. Other double-figured players were Dario Saric with 17, Wiggins with 11, and Podziemic with ten. 

Durant finished the night with 32 points. Booker had a double-double with 25 points and ten assists. Josh Okogie helped put a blanket on Curry’s offensive efforts. Okogie finished with 12 points.

The Warriors return home to Chase Center Frida night to play an in-season tournament game against the San Antonio Spurs. The fans will see the rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama for the first time. The game will start at 7 p.m.

Sacramento Kings Lose Second Game to New Orleans Pelicans 117-112

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) takes the ball to the hoop against the Sacramento Kings forward Trey Lyles (41) in the first half at Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans on Wed Nov 22, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

After getting totally ripped Monday night by the New Orleans Pelicans (8-7), the Sacramento Kings (8-6) met the Pelicans in a second game in as many days on Wednesday night. While they did trail at half-time they made things very interesting in the fourth quarter. The Kings tied the game numerous times in the final quarter but came up short losing 117-112.

Monday night the New Orleans Pelicans (8-7) completely owned the Sacramento Kings (8-6) crushing them 129-93. The Pelicans built momentum with each quarter and by the end of the third quarter this game was a done deal. In the first quarter of that first game Monday night, the Kings actually won the opening 31-29.

The Pelicans established a lead at the half 66-53 and never looked back. Wednesday night the Kings played the Pelicans in a second game in as many days hoping to turn things around but lost by five points to get swept in the two game series.

Game recap: In the first quarter of this game the Pelicans took the opener 32-30 so very similar to their first game Monday night. The second quarter was eerily similar with the Pelicans taking the quarter 32-20. At the half New Orleans led 64-50.

The Pelicans had a 14 pt. lead in this game at half-time and they held a 13 pt. lead in the first game of this series at the half. Zion Williamson already had 17 points in the first half and was making himself right at home driving the basket scoring layups at will.

The Kings defense was having a lot of trouble stopping him. Brandon Ingram had 11 points in the half. The Kings Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox both had double digits.

Mid-way through the third quarter, the Kings made some adjustments keeping Williamson out of the paint and making things much more difficult for him. As the third came to an end, Zion Williamson had not scored a single basket and Brandon Ingram had six points in the quarter.

The Pelicans continued to hang onto a double digit lead and after three quarters the score was 79-93. The Kings were trailing but this was manageable going into the fourth quarter unlike Monday’s game. Sacramento was out of that game going into the fourth on Monday night. It would all come down to the fourth quarter for Sacramento in this game.

With 8 1/2 minutes left in the game the Pelicans called a timeout. Sacramento had pulled to within two points 97-95. Sacramento’s bench player Trey Lyles had really turned it on scoring 12 points and De’Aaron Fox was really pushing with 24 points scored.

This game was within the Kings reach as Sacramento had tied up the game at 102 with 6:44 left on the clock. At 5:16 the Kings had, at long last, taken the lead 105-104. The Kings fought hard in the final quarter but came up just short losing the game 117-112.

The Kings had enough offense to have won this game but at times there was a defensive let-down. Fox had the high score for the team with 26 points. Sabonis had 23 points and Barnes finished with 22 points. Monk and Lyles both had double digits off the bench.

Friday night the Kings continue their road trip taking on the Minnesota Timberwolves. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00.

Warriors get back in the win column down Rockets 121-116

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) lands on his back after making a three point shot against the Houston Rockets at Chase Center in San Francisco on Mon Nov 20, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors (7-8) knew they would face a tough opponent, the Houston Rockets (6-6), on Monday night. Under coach Ime Udoka, the former Boston Celtic coach the Warriors beat in the 2022 finals, the Rockets have assembled a team hoping to make the playoffs this year.

The Rockets started two players that are six feet eleven inches tall—Rookie Jabari Smith and second-year player Alperen Sengun. Smith is 20 years old and is averaging 12.2 points per game. Sengun, from Turkey, is 21 years old and is averaging 20 points a game.

The Rockets added Dillon Brooks from the Memphis Grizzlies. Brooks is a tough customer and likes to play in the same style as the Warriors Draymond Green. Shooting Jalen Green is another young player. Green is 21 years old and puts 16 points on the board in every game.

The Rockets signed the veteran guard Fred VanVleet. VanVleet gave the Warriors fits in the 2019 NBA Finals when the Raptors won their first NBA Championship.

The Warriors were smarting from their sixth loss in a row as they were beaten in overtime by the OKC Thunder last Saturday night. The Warriors needed a win, which they got as they defeated the Rockets 121-116.

Both teams played well in the first quarter. Klay Thompson led the Warriors with 12 points in the period. Thompson made three threes and looked like his former self. The Warriors made six threes in the quarter. In addition, the Thompson’s three, Stephen Curry, Moses Moody, and Dario Saric each connected on a three. The Warriors finished the quarter leading by two, 29-27.

The Warriors continued to make three in the second quarter. They outscored the Rockets 34-26 to finish the first half leading 63-53. Thompson did not score in the quarter. Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Saric, and Jonathan Kuminga were instrumental in giving the Warriors the ten point advantage at the end of the first 24 minutes of action.

The teams played a very competitive third quarter. The Warriors won the period by a single point to increase the lead to 11, 92-81. The Warriors point guard, Chris Paul, helped by scoring ley buckets in the period. The Warriors knew the Rockets would not go away. They expected the Rocket’s onslaught in the fourth quarter and were up to the task. 

The Warriors increased the lead to 100-87 when Curry made another three. The Rockets came back but could not get closer than ten points. The Rockets cut the deficit to seven, but Saric made a bucket to increase the lead to nine, 117-108. The clock was not on the Rockets’ side. The Warriors held on to win, 121-116.

Game Notes: With the win, the Warriors snapped their six-game losing streak and improved to 7-8. The Rockets lost their third straight and are now 6-6.

The Warriors had five players in double-figures. Curry led the Warriors with 32 points. Curry made five threes. Curry continued to make Warrior history. Curry has played more minutes in a Warrior uniform than any other player. Curry broke Nate Thurmond’s record for most minutes played by a Warrior.

Curry set another NBA mark as he made four or more threes in 14 consecutive games. Thompson scored 20 points for the first time this season. Thompson, like Curry, made five threes. Paul had a double-double with 15 points and 11 assists. Paul made three threes. Saric, coming off the bench, tallied 18 points. Saric also made three threes. Wiggins put 12 points on the board, and he made two threes.

The Warriors took 18 shots less than the Rockets. They were 47% from the floor, and as a team, the Warriors made 21 threes in 43 attempts. 

Alperen Sengun led the Rockets. The big man from the Turkish Republic had a double-double with 30 points and 13 rebounds. Sengun also had five assists, and he knocked down two threes. Sengun is making a name for himself in the NBA this year. Rookie Jabari Smit also had a double-double. Smith scored 17 and had ten rebounds. Dillon Brooks added 16, Jalen Green, 16, and VanVleet, ten. 

The Warriors bench outscored The Rockets’ bench 37-27. Saric was one of the reasons the Warriors won the game.

The Warriors meet the Suns in Phoenix on Wednesday night. The Suns will have all three of the stars Available. Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker will be looking to send the Warriors down to defeat. The game starts at 6 P.M.

Kings Take a Beating At the Hands of the New Orleans Pelicans 129-93

New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) looks to get the ball to a teammate while under the basket against the Sacramento Kings at Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The New Orleans Pelicans (6-7) squashed Sacramento in the Kings worst game of the season. The Pelicans poured in on the second half as they mercilessly pounded the Kings (8-4) in both the third and fourth quarters.

This game could not have ended soon enough for the Kings in their most embarrassing game of the season. Their worst game prior to this one was a loss to the Rockets in early November. They lost that game by 25 points. The final in this one was 129-93.

The Kings were on a roll but the Pelicans put an end to their six game win streak. The Kings were coming off a win over the Dallas Mavericks last Sunday. Monday night they took on the Pelicans and just couldn’t hang with them. The Pelicans had good defense to shut down the Kings scoring and dominated on offense staying well ahead of the Kings all game long. This was a challenge for Sacramento playing their first back-to-back games of the season.

Game recap: New Orleans did have a moderate start to the season but they still possess some very strong players in Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. They will be missing CJ McCollum with a chest (collapsed lung) issue.

The Kings Kevin Huerter was a game time decision. Sacramento will be looking to push their winning streak to seven. Whether or not the road trip along with this back to back will effect the team will be known as this game gets underway.

The Kings won the opening quarter taking a 31-29 lead. There was a very real change in the energy in the second quarter and at the half, the Pelicans had taken a 66-53 lead. New Orleans peppered the Kings winning the quarter 37-22.

Williamson was having a field day finishing the first half with 22 points. The Kings offense was struggling and fatigue could very well be factoring into the collapse. Sacramento led until the final five minutes of the quarter and then everything began to break down.

Keegan Murray only had 5 points in the half and De’Aaron Fox finished with nine points. This is when the Pelicans began to really turn it on extending their lead to 13 points going into the locker room.

The Kings would have to dig deep if they wanted to turn this game around. They had to find a way to disrupt the play of Williamson. They will be playing the Pelicans for a second time on Wednesday in New Orleans so they want to come out of this with at least a split.

As the third quarter got underway it became very evident that the sluggish play from Sacramento was partially the result of fatigue. At 7:57 in the quarter the Pelicans had a 22 point lead, 77-55.

New Orleans was running roughshod over the Kings. The Pelicans were shooting at 57% to the Kings 35%. Shots from beyond the arc also went to New Orleans shooting at 54% to the Kings 26%. This game was turning into a disaster for Sacramento. As the third came to an end, the Pelicans had taken a dominating 100-69 lead.

There was just more of the same as the fourth quarter wore on. This game could not have ended soon enough for the team. The final was 129-93 in a real shocker. Harrison Barnes had the high for the Kings with 16 points.

Sacramento will have to pull it all together because on Wednesday the Kings will meet the Pelicans for a second time in New Orleans. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.

30 points at 5:54

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors hope to snap losing streak tonight against Houston

Oklahoma City Thunder guard  Vasilije Micic drives on the Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat Nov 18, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Golden State Warriors (6-7) lost a real knuckle cracker against the Oklahoma City (8-4) Thunder Saturday night 130-123 in overtime.

#2 Andrew Wiggins had his season high game with 31 points and was the reason that the Warriors had a great chance to win this game.

#3 With 1.6 seconds left on the clock the Thunder’s Chet Holmgren hit an unlikely 25-foot three point shot to tie the game at 117 and drive this game into overtime.

#4 The Warriors were looking forward to ending their five game losing streak only to have it continued with the overtime loss.

#5 Monday night the Warriors will take on the Houston Rockets at Chase Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM PT.

Kings Offense Shines In Win Over Mavericks 129-113; Sac picks up sixth win in a row in Dallas

Sacramento Kings De’Aaron Fox (5) runs up the court against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center in Dallas on Sun Nov 19, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (8-4) won the final three quarters in their matchup against the Dallas Mavericks (9-5) finishing them off 129-113. Every starter finished in double digits and displayed a great defensive effort in the win against a very tough Dallas squad.

The Kings got their sixth win in a row Sunday night in Dallas taking on the Mavericks . Sacramento was able to contain Luka Doncic who averages 41 points per game, also recording 11.5 rebounds and nearly nine assists. Doncic led the Mavericks in scoring with 25 points.

In the Kings last few outings Domantas Sabonis has come away with 16 rebounds against the Lakers and 14 versus the Spurs so he can hold his own. He also delivers offensively and of course the Kings are now whole with the return of De’Aaron Fox who scored 43 points Friday night against the Spurs. He seems to step up bigger with every game since his return. The Kings showed that they have the talent to beat the Mavericks.

Game recap: The first quarter of this game was a close one with the Mavericks edging out the Kings 36-35. The Kings won the second quarter 35-29 and at the half Sacramento had a 70-65 lead. Every starter for Sacramento was in double digits at halftime with the exception of Harrison Barnes who was on the cusp with nine points.

The Kings were on point and had to carry this into the second half of the game. The Mavericks are in second place in the Western Conference tied with the Nuggets. The Kings could not afford any sort of let-down against Dallas in the second half.

The two teams battled back and forth in the third quarter with the Kings leading by slim margins for most of the quarter. In the final two minutes of the quarter Sacramento began to edge ahead leading after three quarters 107-96. Every King starter had double digits and off the bench Malik Monk had 12 points. They now had to keep up the pressure going into the final quarter of the game.

The Kings continued to extend their lead in the fourth quarter little by little leading 114-99 with 8 1/2 minutes left in the game. Each team had nine turnovers going into the fourth protecting the ball well on both sides.

Sabonis had recorded another double double with 11 rebounds and 28 points. The Kings had to dig deep to retain this lead against one of the best teams in the NBA. The Kings offensive effort continued through to the finish of this game. They won the quarter 22-17 and finished off the Mavericks 129-113. This was a terrific win for the Kings and was their sixth win in a row.

The Kings beat the Mavericks at every turn from shots from the field, to shots from beyond the arc and rebounds. They did have a few more turnovers, with 13, then Dallas but they had a consistent effort throughout the entire game offensively and defensively.

Sacramento did a good job containing Doncic and Kyrie Irving. The high for the Kings was Sabonis with 32 points and 13 rebounds. Fox had 30 points in an outstanding win.

After Sunday’s game, the Kings will head into Louisiana to take on the New Orleans Pelicans Monday night, in search of a seventh straight win. Zion Williamson did not play in their game Saturday being rested and they did not play in today’s game.

The Kings will more than likely see Williamson in Monday’s game. The Pelicans will be rested but the Kings will also be riding high with a lot of confidence after Sunday’s win. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors skid hits six; Golden State hosts Houston at Chase tonight

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Vasilije Micic drives on the Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat Nov 18, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Golden State Warriors (6-7) lost a real knuckle cracker against the Oklahoma City (8-4) Thunder Saturday night 130-123 in overtime.

#2 Andrew Wiggins had his season high game with 31 points and was the reason that the Warriors had a great chance to win this game.

#3 With 1.6 seconds left on the clock the Thunder’s Chet Holmgren hit an unlikely 25-foot three point shot to tie the game at 117 and drive this game into overtime.

#4 The Warriors were looking forward to ending their five game losing streak only to have it continued with the overtime loss.

#5 Monday night the Warriors will take on the Houston Rockets at Chase Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM PT.

Golden State Warriors podcasts can be heard with Barbara Mason at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Despite Breakout Game For Wiggins; Warriors Fall to Thunder in Overtime; Golden State falls for sixth straight game

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren hits a three point shot against the Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) and forward Kevon Looney (in front) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat Nov 18, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Golden State Warriors (6-7) lost a real knuckle cracker against the Oklahoma City (8-4) Thunder Saturday night 130-123 in overtime. Andrew Wiggins had his season high game with 31 points and was the reason that the Warriors had a great chance to win this game. With 1.6 seconds left on the clock the Thunder’s Chet Holmgren hit an unlikely 25-foot three point shot to tie the game at 117 and drive this game into overtime.

Warriors fans sure got their moneys worth in Saturday’s Warrior game versus the Thunder. In their last meeting Thursday night Golden State lost to the Thunder 128-101. Back on November 3rd the Warriors did beat Oklahoma City in a close one 141-139. The Warriors were looking forward to ending their five game losing streak only to have it continued with the overtime loss.

Game recap: The Thunder won the first quarter 33-31 in a very tight game. The Warriors turned things around in the second quarter winning that quarter 30-18 and had a 61-51 lead going into halftime. The Warriors had held the Thunder to 29% shooting in the second quarter and were looking solid heading into the locker room.

The Thunder got things under control winning the third quarter 34-26 trailing the Warriors by two points 87-85. A real battle got underway in the fourth quarter. Andrew Wiggins came unglued having a season high game.

In the closing seconds of the final quarter Wiggins hit a three pointer to take a 117-114 lead. When it looked like the Warriors would break their losing streak the Thunder’s Chet Holmgren nailed a three point tying shot with 1.6 seconds on the clock sending this game into overtime.

The overtime was not a good one for Golden State getting outscored 13-6 by the Thunder. Oklahoma City had won back-to-back wins at Chase handing the Warriors their sixth loss in a row 130-123.

The star of the show for the Warriors was Wiggins scoring a season high 31 points for Golden State. He was 12 of 19 from the field and had five 3s. Warrior guard Stephen Curry finished with 25 points and seven rebounds. This was the first time this season that he did not have the high score for the team. The Warriors are still dealing with the suspension of Draymond Green and Gary Payton II is still out with a left foot strain.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had the high score for the Thunder with 40 points which was a huge part of this win for Oklahoma City and Chet Holmgren who pushed this game into overtime had a season high of 36 points.

Monday night the Warriors will take on the Houston Rockets at Chase Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM PT.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings take out Spurs for fifth straight win in a row in San Antonio

Sacramento Keon Ellis (23) reaches for the basket in first half action at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Fri Nov 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Sacramento Kings (7-4) beat the San Antonio Spurs (3-9) in a game that was close until the final minutes of the game. 

#2 This was their fifth win in a row in an amazing resilient effort winning 129-120. 

#3 The Kings handed the Spurs their seventh loss in a row. De’Aaron Fox finished with 43 points.

#4 Fox also had eight rebounds, seven assists shooting at 58% from the field. This guy just seems to play better and better with every game.

#5 The Kings  take on the Dallas Mavericks next Sunday with tipoff scheduled for 4:30 PM in Dallas. Jeremiah how do you see this match up?

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