Category: NBA

Kings Drop Game One To Dallas After a Sluggish Start 122-114

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Sacramento Kings’ De’Aaron Fox, left, and Harrison Barnes guard Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving during the second half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Fri Feb 10, 2023 (AP News photo)

Kings Drop Game To Dallas After a Sluggish Start 122-114

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (31-24) came into Friday night’s game against the Dallas Mavericks ( 31-26) riding high after a most improbable win Wednesday night in Houston. De’Aaron Fox hit not one, or two but three free throws with one second left on the clock to win the game 130-128.

The Kings are also playing this game at home another bonus but just couldn’t get this first of back to back games against the Mavericks in a 122-114 loss at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

The first quarter was a real shocker as the Mavericks won the first twelve minutes by a landslide 45-25. Trailing by 20 points is not the way the Kings wanted to start this game. The Mavericks had hit 12 shots from beyond the arc while the Kings had only three shots from downtown. Sacramento had shot 50% from the field and Dallas had 51% but it was the long ball that was killing the Kings.

The Kings did win the second quarter by two points 31-29 but when you drop a first quarter by 20 points there is a lot of catching up to do. The Mavericks led at the half 74-56.

It would be an uphill climb for the Kings in the third quarter. They had to try and chip away at the deficit a basket at a time and a stop at a time and it just was not happening for Sacramento. The Kings did win the third quarter 31-27 but continued to trail 101-87. They had made up a bit of ground but had a real challenge ahead of them in the fourth quarter.

The Kings would make a nice run in the final quarter and with 7:41 left in the game trailed by ten points 104-94. They had made up a lot of ground and had to keep their foot on the pedal. There was still a lot of time left on the clock. Did the Kings have another “miracle win” left in the tank.

Late quarter turnovers and missed possessions were the culprits for Sacramento. They continued to fight hard but Dallas, although giving up some ground, hung onto the lead 110-100 with 3:55 left in the game. The Kings would get within six points but ran out of clock.

Sacramento played three winning quarters but it was the sluggish start in this game that was the difference. Fox had the high with 33 points. The Kings will be back on the court with the Mavericks Saturday night. Sacramento will need a better start but winning the last three quarters of tonight’s game speaks volumes. They need to get their shots from downtown going and limit the empty possessions. The Kings usually keep the turnovers to a minimum however in this game they had 14.

Kyrie Irving had 25 points for the Mavericks.

There will be no rest for the Kings as they take on the Mavericks in a back-to-back at Golden 1 Center Saturday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings host Kyrie Irving and Mavericks tonight at Golden 1

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Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis, left, looks for a shot around Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun during the first half at the Toyota Center in Houston on Wed Feb 8, 2023 (AP News photo)

Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 The Sacramento Kings (31-23) De’Aaron Fox hit some key throws towards the end of Wednesday’s game in Houston. With three seconds left in the game Fox shot for a another three but missed and was fouled by the Rockets Eric Gordon allowing Fox two free throws to help defeat the Houston Rockets (13-42) by two 130-128.

#2 Kings head coach Mike Brown said that he didn’t want to belittle the free throws but that’s what Fox is suppose to do.

#3 The Rockets Jalen Green missed a shot and the Kings missed three of their shots but grabbed three rebounds after each miss.

#4 Fox said of the battle with the Rockets that the Kings need to gut it out on the road each time.

#5 The Kings host the Dallas Mavericks (30-26) tonight at Golden 1 a contest Barbara Mason will cover for us. The Mavericks have some shooters with Kyrie Irving, Tim Hardaway Jr, and Reggie Bullock. How do you see this match up tonight.

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

Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: LeBron all time NBA scoring leader coming to Chase Saturday; Ex-Warrior Durant traded to Suns

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Former Los Angeles Laker Kareem Abdul Jabbar (left) passes the record setting basketball for most points in NBA history and the torch to the Lakers LeBron James (right) at Cypto.com Arena in Los Angeles in second half action against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tue Feb 7, 2023. LeBron and the Lakers visit the Golden State Warriors Sat Feb 11, 2023 at the Chase Center in San Francisco (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Jerry:

#1 The Portland Trail Blazers (27-28) Damian Lillard led the way with a triple double and 33 points he was a tough one to defend and the Blazers came away with a 125-122 victory over the Golden State Warriors (28-27) in Portland on Wednesday night.

#2 Lillard also had 11 assists and ten rebounds, it was also Lillard’s second career triple double. Lillard said he didn’t shoot the ball well but it was his aggressiveness and his attack mode that helped defeat Golden State.

#3 The Warriors Jordan Poole finished on top of all other Warrior scorers with 38 points, Jerry talk about Poole’s contribution to the Warriors offense.

#4 Without guard Stephen Curry in the line up and out with a knee injury Klay Thompson scored 31 points, Thompson scored seven three pointers on his 33rd birthday and stepped it up for the club although they fell short in the end.

#5 Jerry, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are at the Chase Center this Saturday night for a 5:30 pm tip. LeBron set the NBA all time record with 38,388 points surpassing former Laker great Kareem Abdul Jabbar last Tuesday night. LeBron should get a nice ovation for the accomplishment from the Golden State crowd on Saturday.

Jerry Feitelberg does the Golden State Warriors podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Portland Finishes Strong Beating Warriors 125-122

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Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, right, shoots a 3-pointer over Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant during the first half in Portland on Wed Feb 8, 2023 (AP News photo)

Portland Finishes Strong Beating Warriors 125-122

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday night the Golden State Warriors (28-27) traveled up to Portland to take on Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers (27-28) in a tough matchup. Lillard led with 33 points paving the way for a Blazers 125-122 win in Portland on Wednesday night.

The Trail Blazers had a strong start winning the opening quarter 34-27. Portland was not connecting from downtown and the Warriors started hitting them in the second quarter. Golden State finished off the second winning it 40-29 and had shot 12 from beyond the arc. They led at the half 67-63.

Klay Thompson finished the first half with 20 points followed by Jordan Poole with 15. Donte Divincenzo had 12 points off the bench and was three of five from downtown, The Warriors got down early but fought back . Both teams shot at 51% The Warriors were doing a great job protecting the ball with five turnovers in the first half.

Coming down the stretch in the third quarter this was a tight game. Portland won the quarter 32-28 and after three quarters the score was tied at 95. Lillard had 29 and Thompson had 28 through the first three quarters. The Warriors were fighting hard to win this road game on Thompson’s birthday.

The Warriors would try to make a push in the fourth quarter with Lillard on the bench to start the final 12 minutes. The Trail Blazers began inching ahead and led 103-97 in the early minutes of the fourth quarter. Lillard came back in the game and the fireworks began.

The Warriors took a brief lead 114-110 and at 4:56 this game was tied again at 114. Both Thompson and Draymond Green were on the bench just waiting for the final push. The Warriors made some poor decisions in the final two minutes and along with turnovers and missed shots Portland took a 123-114 lead.

Poole finished with the high score of 38 points with Thompson shooting for 31. The Warriors did a great job shooting the ball but gave up too many second chance points. Golden State took care of the ball with 11 turnovers but as the Warriors have seen before too many fouls. Despite having the worst bench in the league Portland outscored the Warriors bench 40-26.

The Warriors will be back at Chase Center to take on the Los Angeles Lakers Saturday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM.

Kings Edge Rockets 130-128

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Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) has his dunk attempt broken up by Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (1) while center Alperen Sengun, left, watches during the first half in Houston on Wed Feb 8, 2023 (AP News photo)

Kings Edge Rockets 130-128

By Barbara Mason

After beating the Houston Rockets 140-120 (13-42) at Toyota Center in Houston on Monday, the Sacramento Kings (31-23) were back to inflict another beatdown Wednesday night taking on the Rockets in a back-to-back. The Kings again had their complete starting roster. As it turned out there would not be a beat down in this game by either team. It would be a fight to the buzzer as the Kings edged the Rockets on Wednesday night 130-128.

The Rockets came out in the first quarter strong winning it 37-30. After losing Monday’s game in convincing fashion Houston wanted to get a quick start. The Kings won the opening quarter of Monday’s game and so the Rockets saw a much better start in this game.

The Kings made up the difference in the second quarter winning it 28-25 but still trailed 62-58 at the half. De’Aaron Fox had a great start with 12 points in the first two quarters and Domantas Sabonis came in with 11 points. The Rockets really challenged the Kings in the first half. They out rebounded them and shot 50% from beyond the arc. Sacramento was 23.5% from downtown.

The Kings took the third quarter 41-35 and led after three quarters 99-97. The Kings had a real fight on their hands in the fourth quarter. At 6:52 the Kings had managed to tie the game at 112. This game could not have been closer and with two minutes left in the game the Kings trailed 123-124. This game went down to the wire and despite trailing for much of the night, the Kings pulled this game out.

Fox finished the game with 31 points. “They had a hell of a game,” said Fox after the game. “We had an ugly game but it was good to get a road win,” he said. With 0.1 left in the game Fox shot three free throws for the win. Sabonis, Harrison Barnes and Keegan Murray all shot in double digits.

The Rockets Jalen Green had an amazing game. The 20 year-old had 41 points and very nearly put this game away for Houston.

On Friday night the Kings will be back home at Golden 1 Center to take on the Dallas Mavericks. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00

Stanford Cardinal basketball podcast with Michael Roberson: Women shocked by loss at Washington and Men’s 5 game win streak ended last Sunday

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Colorado guard KJ Simpson, left, drives the lane as Stanford forward Harrison Ingram defends in the second half at Ball Arena in Denver on Sun Feb 5, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal basketball podcast with Michael:

#1  Elle Ladine of the Washington Huskies (13-9) scored 21 points on the Stanford Cardinal (22-3) at Alaskan Airlines Arena in Seattle on Sunday where the Cougars handed the Cardinal their third loss of the season after Stanford had won five games a in row.

#2 Dalayah Daniels capitalized on Stanford’s foul trouble scoring two free throws with just eight seconds left in the game as the Huskies came away with a five point win and were the third team in NCAA play to defeat the Cardinal this season.

#3 Stanford head coach Tara Vanderveer pretty much summed up the contest in her comments to the media afterwards:  “We didn’t play well offensively, we didn’t play well defensively, and we didn’t rebound. So that’s pretty hard to win games when you’re really not getting it done in any of those three things.”

#4 After carrying a five game win streak the Stanford Cardinal men’s team (10-14) headed to Colorado last Sunday to have their streak broken by the Buffaloes (15-11) 84-62. The Buffaloes Tristan de Silva led with 25 points and it was Colorado’s fourth win in their last ten games.

#5 The Cardinal men host the Arizona State University Sun Devils (16-8) this Thursday night at Maples Pavilion the Sun Devils have lost five of their last six games and hope having home floor Thursday night will give them some advantage the tip off is 7:00pm.

Join Michael Roberson for Stanford Cardinal podcasts Wednesday nights at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors rout OKC Thunder 141-114; Thompson with 42 pts and 12 threes to lead the way

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Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes (40) dunks between Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) and Houston Rockets forward K.J. Martin, right, during the first half at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Mon Feb 6, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors (28-26) had a tough task on their hands Monday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder (25-28). The two teams met in OKC just eight days ago. The Thunder gave the Warriors all they could handle before succumbing to the Warriors 129-120 on Mon Jan 30th.

The Warriors knew it would be difficult as their leader, Stephen Curry, is sidelined for at least two weeks with a partial ligament tear in his left knee. Warrior head coach Steve Kerr had to shuffle his lineup, hoping to keep the young Thunder team from beating his team.

Kerr inserted Jonathan Kuminga into the lineup as a forward. Kerr moved Draymond Green to the center position. Jordan Poole replaced Curry in the point guard position. Everyone in the Chase Center thought it would be a very close contest. Everyone was wrong as the Warriors, behind Klay Thompson’s magnificent performance, blew out the Thunder 141-114.

The Thunder, coached by Mark Daignault, got off to an early lead. The Thunder’s young players made several buckets driving to the bucket. The Warriors had no defense against them early in the game. Thompson kept the Warriors close as he knocked down 18 points in the first period. OKC led 37-31 after the first 12 minutes of play.

Things changed for the better for Golden State in the second period. The Warriors found a way to stop the OKC attack. The Warriors defense held the Thunder to 16 points in the quarter. The Warriors offense got going and took the lead 48-46 midway through the period.

The Warriors outscored the Thunder 29-16 to finish the first half with a modest seven-point advantage, 60-53. Thompson finished the first half with 27 points. Thompson made seven threes in nine tries. Andrew Wiggins was second on the team with seven.

The Warriors made 11 threes in 25 attempts. The Warriors held the Thunder’s leading scorer, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who averages 31 points a game, to 12 points in the half. Tre Mann and Aaron Wiggins, no relation to the Warriors Wiggins, each had ten.

The Warriors put the game away in the third quarter. The Warriors did everything right as they outscored the Thunder 44-26. Jordan Poole, Andrew Wiggins, Donte DiVincenzo, and Thompson rained down threes on the Thunder. The Warriors finished the third quarter with a 25-point lead, 104-79.

The Warriors kept their foot on the gas pedal in the fourth quarter. The Warriors had blown eight double-digit leads this year. They almost blew the lead Saturday night to the Dallas Mavericks. The Warriors were determined to keep the Thunder from getting any momentum to get back into the game.

Thompson made three more threes to finish the night with 12. Thompson’s record for most threes in a game was 14. Poole played well the entire night. Poole finished the night with 21 points and a career-high 12 assists. The Warriors won the game.

Game Notes and Stats- with the win, the Warriors are now 28-26. The Thunder’s record dropped to 25-28.

Thompson led the Warriors with 42 points. He made 12 threes in 16 tries. It was the eighth time in Thompson’s career with ten or more threes in a game. Curry holds the record as he accomplished the feat 22 times. Andrew Wiggins finished with 18. Wiggins played defense superbly as he held Gilgeous-Alexander to 20 points, 11 points below his season’s average. Donte DiVincenzo finished with 14, and JaMychal Green had 12.

The Warrior made 26 threes in 50 tries. The NBA record for most threes in a game is 29. The Warriors moved the ball well, as they found the open man all night. The Warriors recorded 43 assists on 56 baskets.

The Thunder’s leading scorers were Gilgeous-Alexander with 20, Aaron Wiggins with 19, Josh Giddey with 15, and Tre Mann with 18.

After the game, Steve Kerr said he had “the most fun watching the team play this year.” He thought Poole was magnificent. It was high praise for Poole as he has struggled in several games this season. “Jordan’s control, taking care of the ball, was just brilliant all night.” Kerr also remarked that the team’s performance was a “confidence booster.”

The Warriors travel to Portland to face the TrailBlazers Wednesday night. The game will start at six

Kings Beat Rockets In First of Back-To- Back Games 140-120

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Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes (40) dunks between Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) and Houston Rockets forward K.J. Martin, right, during the first half in Houston Mon Feb 6, 2023 (AP News photo)

Kings Beat Rockets In First of Back-To- Back Games 140-120

By Barbara Mason

Monday evening the Sacramento Kings (30-23) traveled to Houston took on the Rockets (13-41). The Kings have dropped two games in a row most recently to the Pelicans 136-104 Sunday night. The starters for the Kings had an off night in New Orleans in fact it was a horrific first half for Sacramento.

Sacramento has been without De’Aaron Fox due to personal reasons and Fox missed few games and played in Monday nights’ game and gave Sacramento a much needed lift scoring 16 points as the Kings took the first of the two game series 140-120.

The Kings got a very good start in the first quarter leading 31-24. Sacramento got a much better start in this game compared to Sunday and after the first 12 minutes were shooting at 44.1% and had also hit four shots from downtown.

The Kings really got on track in the second quarter shooting at 50% from the field and led at the half 65-48 after winning the quarter 34-24. The high in the half was turned in by Fox with 13 points.

Domantas Sabonis had 11 and Kevin Huerter had ten so the team had put the ugly loss to the Pelicans in the rearview mirror. They took care of the ball in the first half with only five turnovers.

After having a 17 point lead at the half the Kings let the Rockets back in the game. Houston had cut a 17 point deficit to six points before the Kings pushed back and led after three quarters 99-88.

Sacramento turned it on in the fourth quarter squashing the Rockets. With five minutes left in the game they led by the score of 120-99.

The high for the Kings was Keegan Murray with 30 points. Malik Monk had 20 off the bench. Sacramento went crazy from downtown shooting at 51.2% hitting 19 from beyond the arc. The Kings finished shooting 58.4% from the field.

The Kings will meet the Rockets again on Wednesday trying to best Houston in back-to-backs. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Curry leg injury will force him out of action for next two weeks

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Dallas Mavericks forward Reggie Bullock (25) shoots against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the first half at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat Feb 4, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 The Golden State Warriors hosted the Dallas Mavericks Saturday night at the Chase Center. The Mavs came into town without the services of their All-World star Luka Doncic. Doncic suffered a heel contusion in his last game and could not play.

#2  Draymond Green and Klay Thompson were back in the lineup with Stephen Curry. However, Curry suffered a left leg injury late in the third quarter. X-rays were negative, but Curry went for an MRI and it was reported on Sunday that Curry will miss multiple weeks.

#3 The Warriors did everything right in the first half. They ran the court, making three-point shots as they sent a message to Dallas that the Mavericks were in for a rough night. The Warriors led by 15 at the end of the first half, 73-58.

#4 With just 1;28 left to play, Tim Hardaway, Jr. connected on a three-pointer to bring Dallas within five points, 116-111. Fortunately, the Warriors defense prevailed, and the Warriors were able to pick up the win.

#5 The Warriors meet the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight at the Chase Center with a 7:00pm tip. Barbara how do you see this match up between the two clubs tonight and can the Warriors squeak another game out tonight?

Join Barbara Mason for the Warriors podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioserice.com

Kings get clobbered by Pelicans in New Orleans 136-104

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New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) shoots against Sacramento Kings guard Davion Mitchell (15) in the first half at Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans on Sun Feb 5, 2023 (AP News photo)

Pelicans Punish Kings 136-104

By Barbara Mason

Sunday the Sacramento Kings (29-23) traveled to the “Big Easy” to take on the New Orleans Pelicans (28-27). Friday night the Kings lost a close game to the Pacers 107-104.

The Pelicans beat the Lakers Saturday night 131-126. The Kings are currently in third place in the Western Conference while the Pelicans have fallen to ninth place tied with the Jazz. The Kings struggled against the Pelicans and it wasn’t even close losing 136-104 on Sunday.

The Pelicans jumped all over the Kings mid-way through the opening quarter 26-12. The Pelicans held a double digit lead in the remaining minutes of the first quarter and led after the first 12 minutes 34-26. For a second game in a row De’Aaron Fox was out for personal reasons and the team did not discuss it any further. Fox has missed four games this season and the team is 1-3 without him.

The slow start for Sacramento started to turned around in the second quarter. It was the Kings bench that was keeping Sacramento in this game and the team needed Harrison Barnes, Kevin Huerter and Keegan Murray who had not scored a single point in the first quarter.

The Kings had pulled to within four points in the quarter but started to struggle again. The starters were not holding up their end of the deal. At the half the Pelicans led 70-52 and the Kings starting roster had collectively scored 13 points in the half. The bench had scored 37 points, almost three times more than the starters in a horrendous firs half.

In the third quarter the Pelicans continued the beat down leading the Kings 87-58 with 6:50 left in the quarter. After the first three quarters the Pelicans led 104-76. The fourth quarter was more of the same with the Pelicans winning this game 136- 104.

This is certainly a game that the Kings are looking forward to putting in their rearview mirror. Nothing was working offensively or defensively. They were 22.5% from beyond the arc and the Pelicans were hot with 54.2%. This was just one of those games that come along and you just have to get past it.

The bench worked hard in this game and collectively scored 63 points while the starters had 41 points. Malik Monk had 16 points off the bench which was the team high.

Sacramento will travel to Houston to take on the last place in the Western Conference Rockets Monday night. They are in desperate need for a confidence builder which a win would provide, Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.