Category: NBA

Timberwolves Defense Tops Kings Offense 117-100

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Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) sets up against the Minnesota Timberwolves center Luke Garza (55) at the Target Center in Minnesota on Sat Jan 28, 2023 (@SacramentoKings photo)

Timberwolves Defense Tops Kings Offense 117-100

By Barbara Mason

Saturday night the Sacramento Kings (27-21) took on the Minnesota Timberwolves (27-25) at Target Center. Minnesota is coming off a win over the Memphis Grizzlies 111-100 while the Kings lost to the Raptors 113-95 Wednesday night.

Prior to that game, the Kings beat the Grizzlies in a blow out 133-100 last Monday. The Kings after winning six straight games have no dropped their second straight game this one in the first of two back to back games against the Timberwolves 117-100 on Saturday night.

The Kings are currently in third place in the Western Conference and the Raptors are in 12th place in the Eastern Conference.

The Timberwolves won the opening quarter 29-21 but the Kings came roaring back in the second quarter winning it 38-28. At the half the Kings had a slim lead 59-57.

The Raptors dominated the third quarter winning it 33-22 and led going into the fourth quarter 90-81. The Kings had made a move in the second quarter but Minnesota was the better team tonight.

De’Aaron Fox had a slow start that persisted through the first half but had picked it up in the second half finishing with 29 points. Minnesota had 19 turnovers but the Kings were unable to cash in on them. The Raptors shot at 52% while the Kings were at 45% and Sacramento really struggled from beyond the arc.

Anthony Edwards had a great game for the Raptors shooting for 34 points and D’Angelo Russell finished with 25 points. The Minnesota defense was outstanding and more than the Kings could handle in this game.

The Kings will have another go at the Timberwolves Monday night at Target. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Warriors Fourth Quarter Surge Puts Raptors Away 129-117

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Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry (30) wakes up the crowd and led with 35 points against the Toronto Raptors at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Fri Jan 27, 2023 (@warriors photo)

Warriors Fourth Quarter Surge Puts Raptors Away 129-117

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the Golden State Warriors (25-24) took on the Toronto Raptors (22-28) at Chase Center. The Warriors were pressed as they took on one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the NBA they got a offensive shot in the arm in the fourth quarter and came away with a 129-117 win at Chase Center in San Francisco.

Golden State had a shaky start in the first quarter with two turnovers in a row to open this game. They trailed 16-8 at 7:31 before they got going. They continued to trail through the quarter but by the slimmest of margins. At 1:10 Stephen Curry hit a two point shot to tie the game at 31.

The Warriors took the lead briefly with under a minute 34-33. After the first 12 minutes the Raptors had a 36-34 lead. Not known for their three point shooting, near the bottom in the NBA, the Raptors came away with five of six in the first quarter.

The Warriors had come back from the early minutes of the first quarter to lead at the half 63-62. They won the second quarter 29-26. The Warriors only had four turnovers in the half, a vast improvement. The Warriors had 38 points in the paint and were shooting at 53%.

The Warriors had two turnovers to start this game and they had two turnovers to start the second half. The opening minutes of the third quarter were a hot mess for Golden State. With 2:45 left in the third not a thing had been decided; this game was knotted at 86 and it was anybody’s game.

The Warriors led after three quarters 98-94. Jonathan Kuminga was on fire in the quarter hitting four shots from downtown. Golden State won the third quarter 35-32 and would try to finish this game in the fourth quarter.

The Warriors continued to extend their lead in the fourth quarter with Curry on the bench 105-100 with 7:40 left on the clock. Curry re-entered the game and the rest is history. The duo of Curry and Klay Thompson was too much for the Raptors. Golden State finished off the fourth quarter putting Toronto away.

Curry came into the fourth quarter and along with Thompson banked a couple of three’s. Curry finished with 35 points and Thompson had 29 points. Off the bench, Kuminga had those four three’s in the third quarter and finished with 15 points. Golden State finished with 18 shots from downtown.

Toronto had a nice game but came up just short. They had a great night shooting from downtown hitting a dozen. Fred VanVleet had the high for the Raptors with 28 points.

On Monday the Warriors will travel to Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder at Paycom Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings open up two game series Saturday in Minnesota against Timberwolves

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The Sacramento Kings Kevin Huerter gets some hang time on a throw down against the Toronto Raptors at Golden 1 Arena in Sacramento on Wed Jan 25, 2023 (photo by @SacramentoKings)

On the Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The visiting Toronto Raptors used a big night from Pascal Siakam to upend the NBA Pacific-leading Sacramento Kings 113-95 Wednesday at Golden 1 Center.

#2 Siakam scored 26 points and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead the Raptors. Precious Achiuwa was next with 19 points off the bench, Fred VanVleet scored 17 and reserve Chris Boucher had 16 points. O.G. Anunoby added 11 points for Toronto (22-27), which had lost four of their last six games prior to Wednesday.

#3 Kevin Huerter led Sacramento (27-20) with 21 points. Keegan Murray made four 3-poiners and wound up with 16 points, as did De’Aaron Fox, who also had eight assists. Harrison Barnes added 10 points, and Trey Lyles contributed five assists.

#4 After taking a one-point lead in the first quarter, the Raptors outscored Sacramento 60-44 over the second and third quarters. The Kings pulled to within 12 in the fourth quarter before the Raptors pulled away.

#5 The Kings open up a back-to-back series with the Timberwolves in Minnesota, starting with Saturday’s game. The two teams meet again in Minneapolis on Monday.

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

Former Warrior Barnes spits in face of fiancee’s former husband

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Former Golden State Warrior and Sacramento King Matt Barnes gets ready to let the spit fly at former Atlanta Falcon and former husband of Anasa Sims, David Patterson Jr in a push and shove at the Levi Stadium in Santa Clara parking lot on Sun Jan 22, 2023 before the NFC Divisional game (photo from TMZ Sports)

By Jerry Feitelberg

Former Golden State Warrior and Sacramento King Matt Barnes according to court documents said that the former NFL player and Atlanta Falcon David Patterson Jr had hunted Barnes down and aggressively confronted Barnes before Sunday’s NFC Divisional game between the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara.

Barnes said that Patterson shoved him and Barnes pushed back and said in the documents “I did not want the altercation to physically escalate further, and out of frustration with him seeking me out and his unrelenting repeated harassment I spit in his direction in disgust.”

Barnes said that Patterson Jr had been harassing him for months and after the incident Barnes had filed a restraining order. Barnes said that Patterson had shoved him in the parking lot at Levi Stadium and that he had no other recourse but to shove Patterson back to get him off him Barnes also spit in Patterson’s direction during the physical confrontation.

Witnesses who were there during scrap stepped between the two of them. The issue amongst them is regarding Patterson’s ex wife Anasa Sims who got engaged with Barnes in December. Anasa was a model and had three kids with Patterson Jr. Barnes stated that the motive for Patterson’s hunting Barnes down and being aggressive was because of jealously.

Patterson’s fiancée Melisa Andino said that Barnes is the one who is mistreating Patterson and Sims’ three kids and filed a restraining order against Barnes. Barnes in 2015 attacked former New York Knicks coach Derek Fisher because Fisher was dating Barnes ex-wife Gloira Govan.

Barnes played in the NBA between 2004-2017.and is currently co-hosting “All the smoke” on Showtime with former Warrior Stephen Jackson.

Jerry Feitelberg is a Golden State Warriors beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors Get Past Rival Grizzlies 122-120

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Golden State Warriors power forward Andrew Wiggins (22) looks for someone to pass to against the Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Wed Jan 25, 2023 (USA Today photo)

Warriors Get Past Rival Grizzlies 122-120

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday night the Golden State Warriors (24-24) took on the Memphis Grizzlies (31-17). Two teams with two differing styles: the Warriors leaning on outside shooting and the Grizzlies excellent play from inside. Ja Morant re-joined Memphis and the Warriors found a way to clog up the paint in this game to contain him as Golden State came up a winner by a bucket 122-120 at the Chase Center in San Francisco.

The Grizzlies had a couple of scores to settle, one back on Christmas Day and the other in last year’s playoffs. This was without a doubt a highly physical game. The Grizzlies came in as the number one defensive team in the league and Golden State had to contend with that.

Game Recap: The first quarter got underway and 59 seconds into the game Stephen Curry already had two personal fouls. Early turnovers and early fouls was not the way the Warriors wanted to start this game. Despite five turnovers and eight personals, Golden State had a 24-22 lead after the first 12 minutes.

The Warriors trailed by a single point at halftime 54-53. That was a triumph in itself considering the fact that Golden State had 14 turnovers. It was a choppy first half that lacked rhythm. The entire starting roster had two personal fouls each and so trailing by a single point was fortunate.

The Grizzlies, an excellent second half team, won the third quarter 42-37 leading 96-90.

With three minutes left in the game the Warriors made a push trailing by two points 113-111. Golden State tied the game at 113 with 2:06 left on the clock.

The Warriors would have to fight for this game when Curry was ejected in a tragic turn of events. It came down to the final thirty seconds with Golden State leading 117-116. Klay Thompson gave the Warriors the lead 120-118 with 14.1 seconds left. With 2.6 Jordan Poole dropped a lay-in to win the game by two points.

This was a hard fought win for the Warriors. Curry finished with 34 points and Thompson had a great game with 24. Poole who had the game winner finished with 21 points. This game was downright ugly at times with 22 turnovers but Golden State hung in to the end and pulled this one out.

Friday night the Warriors will play the Toronto Raptors at Chase. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM

Raptors cool off Kings 113-95

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The Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis (10) has possession of the ball against the Toronto Raptors at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Wed Jan 25, 2023 (USA Today photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Wednesday. January 25, 2023

The visiting Toronto Raptors used a big night from Pascal Siakam to upend the NBA Pacific-leading Sacramento Kings 113-95 Wednesday at Golden 1 Center.

Siakam scored 26 points and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead the Raptors. Precious Achiuwa was next with 19 points off the bench, Fred VanVleet scored 17 and reserve Chris Boucher had 16 points. O.G. Anunoby added 11 points for Toronto (22-27), which had lost four of their last six games prior to Wednesday.

Kevin Huerter led Sacramento (27-20) with 21 points. Keegan Murray made four 3-poiners and wound up with 16 points, as did De’Aaron Fox, who also had eight assists. Harrison Barnes added 10 points, and Trey Lyles contributed five assists.

Domantas Sabonis had nine points and eight rebounds, snapping his streak of 22 consecutive double-double games.

The Kings had won seven of their last eight games.

After taking a one-point lead in the first quarter, the Raptors outscored Sacramento 60-44 over the second and third quarters. The Kings pulled to within 12 in the fourth quarter before the Raptors pulled away.

Toronto outrebounded the Kings 41-34.

The Kings have a back-to-back series with the Timberwolves in Minnesota, starting with Saturday’s game. The two teams meet again in Minneapolis on Monday.

Lyles lead Kings with 24 pts in 133-100 win over Memphis

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Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr., left, and Desmond Bane, second from left, guard against Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox, second from right, during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Mon Jan 23, 2023 (AP News phot)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Monday night. The Kings last played Saturday in Golden 1 Center as they competed against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Kings finished disappointingly on Saturday, losing to the undermanned 76ers by two points. On Monday, the Kings welcomed the Memphis Grizzlies to town.

The Grizzlies had been hot as of late until losing their last two games. On Monday, stars Ja Morant and Steven Adams were out of the ballgame. The Kings defeated the Grizzlies 133-100 at Golden 1 Center.

In the first quarter, the Kings put on a show! The Kings opened the game red hot from behind the arc. Harrison Barnes and Keegan Murray both started the hot shooting starting 5/5 and 3/3, respectively, from three-point land.

The Kings, all in all, would score a massive 47 points to take the commanding lead early. The Grizzlies were able to score 33 points in the first. The Kings took a 47-33 lead into the second quarter.

Both teams fought in the second quarter, and the score drew closer. However, the Kings would retain the lead. Granted, with a smaller margin. The Kings would only score 19 points in the second quarter as the offense went dormant. On the other hand, the Grizzlies scored 28 in the quarter to pull within five points of the Kings.

The score going into halftime was 66-61, with the Kings in the lead. Harrison Barnes led the way for the Kings scoring 15 points. Tyus Jones led the way for the Grizzlies with 10 points.

In the third quarter, the Kings expanded the lead a bit. The Kings offense got back on track and were able to score 34 points in the quarter. On the other end of the floor, the Grizzlies were able to score 29 points.

The Kings were able to open back up the lead to double digits as they took the 100-90 lead into the final quarter. The Kings had been mistake-prone all night, and it would be paramount to limit the turnovers and rebound in the final quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings roared back! On the Golden 1 Center before the game, a large “Roar with us” sign illuminated the stadium; roaring is exactly what Kings fans did in the final quarter. The Kings dominated in the fourth quarter outscoring Memphis 33-10.

It was an incredible performance from the Kings on both ends of the floor. The Kings did what they needed to do against a Memphis team missing Ja Morrant and Steven Adams. Six Kings players finished the game in double figures as Trey Lyles led the way with 24 points. The Grizzlies were led by Desmond Bane, who scored 21 points. The Kings improved to 27-19 on the season.

Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday at 7 PM PST.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors host Grizzlies Wednesday; Golden State trying to avoid a fifth straight home loss

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Brooklyn Nets guard Seth Curry defends Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during the first quarter at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn on Sun Jan 22, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 After having the night off in Cleveland, hopes were high that the Golden State Warriors (23-24) starting roster would bring some great energy in Sunday night’s game. How did that go against the Brooklyn Nets (29-17)?

#2 It was an especially tough night for Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins. They were six for 26. Talk a little bit about that.

#3 The 23 and 24 record simply says that right now the Warriors are just not good enough to close out these kind of tight games.

#4 The one thing that kept the Warriors in this game was the bench scoring a collective 50 points.

#5 Wednesday night the Memphis Grizzlies (31-15) come to Chase and they will be looking to hand the Warriors their fifth straight loss at Chase. How do you see this game?

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

Warriors Offense Sputters Lose To Nets 120-116

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Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons (10) looks to pass away from defensive pressure by Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson and forward Draymond Green (23) during the first quarter at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn on Sun Jan 22, 2023 (AP News photo)

Warriors Offense Sputters Losing To the Nets 120-116

By Barbara Mason

Sunday evening the Golden State Warriors (23-24) took on the Brooklyn Nets (29-17) back home at Chase. The Warriors are coming off an amazing win over the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday night won for the most part by the Golden State bench. Such was not the story on Sunday as the Brooklyn Nets took a four point 120-116 win over Golden State at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn.

Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green all sat out the game in Cleveland and so come into this game rested and ready to take on the Nets. The Warriors did not see Kevin Durant who is still out with a sprained ligament in his right knee.

The Warriors came out on fire winning the first quarter 33-28 and going on to win the second quarter as well 39-32. They led at the half 72-60. Golden State had some great ball control with only foir turnovers in the half. The Nets have a history of some great second half comebacks and the Warriors needed to keep their foot on the pedal and not let the Nets back into the game.

Brooklyn started their comeback in the early minutes of the third quarter cutting their twelve point deficit to three points; trailing 75-72 with seven minutes left in the quarter. The 17 point lead the Warriors had previously had in the first half was gone when the Nets tied up the game at 75 with 6:45 left on the clock in the third.

Golden State had a real battle on their hands coming away with mounting empty possessions. In the final minutes of the quarter everything started going the Nets way. The Warriors offense got a bit of life finishing the quarter on a 10-2 run and led 90-86.

The Warriors got a great start in the fourth quarter extending their lead 100-91in the opening minutes of the final quarter. Golden State got a ten point lead 106-96 without Curry with 6:41 left in the game which was huge for the team pending Curry’s return. With 3:26 left in the game the Warriors were clinging to a 112-107 lead and they were over the limit so they had to limit the fouls for the rest of the game.

With 1:48 left on the clock the game was tied at 112. With 27.1 left in the game the Nets had a 118-116 lead but Golden State had possession. Thompson attempted a three that failed and he had gone 0-7 from downtown. Brooklyn’s offense helped the Nets go on a 17-4 run.

It was a great night for the Warrior bench scoring 50 points in this game. It was tough night for the starting roster most notably Thompson and Wiggins. Thompson had ten points and Wiggins finished with a disappointing four points. Curry had the high finishing with 26 points.

Kyrie Irving was a challenge for the Warriors the entire game. He finished with 38 points and seven rebounds.

Wednesday night the Warriors will play the Memphis Grizzlies at Chase Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Sixers edge Kings 129-127 ends Sac’s six game win streak

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Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris (12) shoots over Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) during the first quarter at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Sat Jan 21, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Saturday night in Sacramento. The Kings were on the second night of a back-to-back Saturday night after playing the night before. The Kings faced the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night in Sacramento. The Kings managed to put the Thunder down to the final score of 118-113. The Kings welcomed the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday at 7 PM PST. The Kings fell to the 76ers 129-127 in a tough loss.

In the first quarter, the Kings started the game playing well. The Kings, immediately after tip-off, started to put pressure on the 76ers. The Kings offense started hot with 35 points in the first quarter. Kevin Huerter had seven points in the first quarter to get the Kings going. On the defensive end, the Kings played well. The Kings held the 76ers to 27 points in the first quarter to jump to the early 35-27 lead.

In the second quarter, The Kings continued to play well. Harrison Barnes was on fire from the perimeter in the first half, scoring 17 points. The Kings built a dominant lead early in the second quarter but then lost some of it heading into halftime. The Kings would end the half leading 74-64 after outscoring the 76ers 39-37 in the second quarter. The Kings looked in control of the game but would need to limit mistakes in the second half not to give away the lead.

In the third quarter, the Kings play was atrocious. The Kings fell apart in the third quarter to a 76ers team that was down James Harden and Joel Embiid. The Kings only managed to score 22 points in the third quarter. However, the Kings offensive woes were nothing compared to the defense.

The Kings allowed the 76ers to score 38 points in the third quarter as they rallied back and took the lead going into the final quarter of the game. The Kings and 76ers would go into the fourth quarter with the 76ers leading 102-96. It was a meltdown of historic proportions for the Kings who would look to get back on track in the last quarter of play.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings fought hard but could not come away with a win. The Kings outscored the 76ers 31-27 in the final quarter. However, the 76ers pulled out the 129-127 short-handed victory. It was a tough blow for the Kings who had a commanding lead in the first half just to see it evaporate.

The Kings biggest struggle was on the glass as they were outrebounded almost 2-1. Leading the way for the Kings in defeat was De’Aaron Fox who had 31 points.The 76ers best performance came from Tyrese Maxey who dropped 32 points in the game. The Kings would look to turn the page as they will face a tough opponent on Monday.

Up Next: The Kings welcome the red hot Memphis Grizzlies into Golden 1 Center on Monday at 7 PM PST.