Curry and Durant lead Warriors to a 109-101 win over Wizards

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Photo credit: nba.com/warriors

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors played the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night in the Nation’s Capitol. The Wizards, playing without their star John Wall, had won 10 of the last 13 games in his absence. The Wizards’ Bradley Beal increased his scoring and the Wizards, taking a page out of the Warriors’ playbook, started moving the ball and finding the open man to make up for Wall’s loss. The Wizards beat the Milwaukee Bucks Tuesday night in Milwaukee, and the Warriors felt that the Wizards might tire late in the game. The Wizards did not fold as they stayed with the Warriors for most of the game, but the Warriors were too tough, and the Dubs won 109-101.

The Warriors started strong as they raced out to a 15-point lead, 36-21, after 12 minutes of action. Kevin Durant tallied 16 and Steph Curry added 10. The Wizards fell behind 42-26 before they went on a 10-0 run to close the gap to 42-36. The Wizards’ defense shut down the Warrior offense. The Warriors scored just six points in more than six minutes of play in the second quarter. The Wizards took the lead, 53-52, but buckets by Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala put the Warriors back in front. The Wizards made a 3-point shot to tie the game at 56, but Curry sank two free throws to put the Warriors at the end of the first half, 58-86. Durant led the Warrior attack with 18, and Otto Porter also tallied 18 for the Wizards.

The Warriors had another terrific third quarter. As they have done so many times this year, they did their job on offense, and the defense shut down the Wizards. The Warriors started the quarter with a 16-4 run. They outscored Washington 27-14 and led 85-70 heading into the fourth quarter. The Wizards won the fourth quarter as they outscored the W’s by 7. It was too little, too late as Curry refused to wilt and won 109-101.

Game Notes and Stats: The Warriors’ defense shut down Wizards guard, Bradley Beal. Beal came into the game averaging 26.5 points per game in the games since John Wall was injured. The Warriors’ Klay Thompson did a fantastic job as Beal scored just eight points in the game. The Wizards were led by Otto Porter’s 29 points and 10 rebounds. Markieff Morris had 16, Tomas Satoransky 11, and Kelly Oubre recorded 17. The Warriors held the Wizards to 40% from the floor. However, the Wizards took 19 more shots than the Warriors. The Wizards outrebounded the Warriors, 50-39, and they recorded 25 assists.

The Warriors shot 52.1% from the floor. They made 10 3-point shots, Durant led the Warriors with 32. Curry had 25 including four 3-pointers. Thompson had 13. Draymond Green had a double-double with 11 points and 11 assists. Andre Iguodala pitched in with 14. The Warriors had 10 steals and eight blocked shots. Iguodala blocked three and JaVale McGee had two. The Warriors are now 48-14 while the Wizards drops to 36-26.

After the game, Bradley Beal commented on the Warriors’ defense:

“They took a lot of my shots away. They doubled. They switched,” Beal said. “Their main objective was to take the ball out of my hands.”

A lot of the credit went to Thompson.

“Klay did a really good job,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said. “We assign Klay with the most difficult job night after night.”

Up Next: The Warriors finish the three-game road trip in Atlanta on Friday night. It will be the first game of the season between the two teams. Game time is at 4:30 pm PT.

First conference win of the season: San Jose State holds on for 64-62 win over Utah State

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Photo credit: @SJSUAthletics

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — It’s obvious the San Jose Spartans have a nightmarish record this season, but the players and coaches had something to smile about as the team hosted its Senior Night against the Utah State Aggies in the Event Center on Wednesday night.

From the Spartans’ perspective, their series history with the Aggies hasn’t been pretty. Utah State has won 21 straight games dating back to 2008 and hold a 60-21 advantage in the all-time series vs. San Jose State. Not only that, SJSU hasn’t won a conference game at home since February 18, 2017, against the Air Force Falcons. The Spartans beat the Falcons 83-78 in overtime.

The Spartans fell behind early in the game as the Aggies’ Koby McEwen, Julion Pearre and Sam Merrill overpowered the Spartan defense with four 3-pointers along with a jumper and a layup. However, the Spartans were able to pick themselves up off the ground and tie the game at 16 apiece at the 11:50 mark.

Spartans’ Jaycee Hillsman hit a three to give his team a 19-16 lead at the 11:11 mark, but the lead was short-lived as Merrill quickly responded with a three of his own. McEwen and Diogo Brito followed up with shots of their own to help the Aggies to a larger lead.

Yet, SJSU didn’t let USU’s lead discourage them. Welage and Fisher each hit a jumper to pull the Spartans within one with 7:23 left.

The Spartans tied the game at 29 apiece, thanks to Hillsman’s jumper with 4:41 left. Ashtin Chastain made a pair of free throws to put the Spartans up 31-29 with four minutes left, but the Aggies quickly responded on Merrill hit a three to pull his team within one just six seconds later.

Both teams exchanged leads numerous times, but the Spartans played efficient defense and the game was tied at 37 apiece at the end of the first half.

Spartans’ halftime stats: 15-27 FG-FGA (total), 2-4 FG-FGA (3-pointer), 5-9 FT-FTA, 6 offensive rebounds, 12 defensive rebounds, 18 total rebounds, 6 PF, 37 TP, 5 A, 6 TO, 1 Blk, 1 Stl, 100 Min.

Again, both teams exchanged leads numerous times, but the home crowd erupted when Welage hit a three to put the Spartans back on top 52-49 at the 11:43 mark.

The Aggies tied the game at 52 apiece on Daron Henson’s three at the 12:23 mark, but the Spartans re-tied the game at 54 apiece on Fisher’s jumper with 8:41 left and picked up a 60-58 lead a little over three minutes later.

Welage hit a jumper to extend the Spartans’ lead to four points, but Dwayne Brown Jr. pulled the Aggies within two with a little over two minutes left.

However, SJSU didn’t press the panic button yet. Isaiah Nichols hit a jumper to put the Spartans up by four with 53.1 seconds left.

The Spartans’ challenged the Aggies’ play, but the officials reviewed the play and determined that it was a two-point field goal. SJSU continued to lead USU by two points with 11.3 seconds left.

The Spartans held onto that two-point lead for a 64-62 win over the Aggies. With the win, SJSU won their first conference game of the season.

Spartans’ full-time stats: 25-54 FG-FGA (total), 5-14 FG-FGA (3-pointer), 9-15 FT-FTA, 12 offensive rebounds, 25 defensive rebounds, 37 total rebounds, 13 PF, 64 TP, 9 A, 10 TO, 4 Blks, 3 Stls and 200 Min.

Notes
Spartans’ starting lineup: Keith Fisher III, Oumar Barry, Jalen James, Jaycee Hillsman and Ryan Welage.

Aggies’ starting lineup: Koby McEwen, Sam Merrill, Julion Pearre, Quinn Taylor and Dwayne Brown Jr.

Up Next
The Spartans conclude the regular season in Colorado as they take on the Air Force Falcons on Saturday at 1 pm PT.

San Jose Sharks Podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh: Sharks’ Kane makes all the difference in Oilers win; Next test as Blackhawks come to town on Thursday

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@SanJoseSharks photo: from left to right San Jose Sharks injured reserve player Joel Ward, center Willie O’Ree and right Evander Kane all pose in the front offices of the San Jose Sharks on Willie O’Ree Night at SAP Center in San Jose

On the San Jose Podcast with Mary Lisa:

The visiting Edmonton Oilers were unlucky last Tuesday night because the Sharks were coming off some disappointing loses from their most recent road trip losing three out of four. The Sharks picked up Evander Kane from the Buffalo Sabres on Monday, a talented new player to the roster whose been waiting to play for a good team all his career. Kane started out his career way back with the Atlanta Thrashers and he had some much promise there and that he could really do something, but he bounced around to different struggling teams and had some challenges and it never got off the ground for Kane.

This is Kane’s fourth NHL team he previously played for Winnipeg Jets after starting out in Atlanta and then onto Buffalo and now with San Jose. He’s now with a team that might see the results of his hard work. The first period against the Oilers were kind of flat for the team, but in the second period, the Sharks came right out and Kane got had two points with his linemates with a brand new team and really made an impression and played very well in front of the net which sparked the offense in their 5-2 win.

Mary Lisa has the Sharks podcast and every Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

San Jose Barracuda Podcast with Marko Ukalovic: School day promo early start for Cuda Friday and hoping to snap 3-game skid on Friday; Brodeur sign try agreement with Cuda

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sjbarracuda.com file photo: Jeremy Brodeur (35) who signed a tryout agreement with the San Jose Barracuda from ECHL Allentown Americans

On the SJ Barracuda Podcast with Marko:

1 San Jose Barracuda (22-22-3-3), who have lost four straight games including their last game against the Bakersfield Condors (21-20-7-1), they have now lost eight of their last nine games

2 The Cuda in the loss to the Condors saw goals by Ty Rattie, Grayson Downing, Brad Marlowe, and Josh Currie. The Cuda defense couldn’t hold them off

3 Antoine Bibeau (14-11-2) allowed 37 shots was it a matter of Bibeau not getting protection up front or did he just get beat by some skillful shooting

4 The Barracuda signed goaltender Jeremy Brodeur to a tryout agreement from the ECHL Allen Americaans in 35 games. Brodeur has a 3.14 goals against average.

5. Day game at 11AM on Friday morning at SAP Center it’s school day promotion. It’s school day and kids will be entering SAP to take in the Bakersfield Condors and Barracuda contest for their field trip.

Marko does the Barracuda podcast each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Kings lose to Trail Blazers 116-99 and suffer a blowout loss in season series finale

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Photo credit: @SacramentoKings

By: Ana Kieu

The Sacramento Kings suffered yet another loss, a 116-99 blowout, to the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center on Tuesday night.

The Trail Blazers were glad to be back home, while the Kings just wanted to avoid their fifth straight loss. Kings’ Willie Cauley-Stein dominated in the first quarter with a lot of shots, including 3-pointers.

Kings veteran Vince Carter didn’t just have dunks up his sleeve, but also impressive two-point field goals, like the one embedded below.

The Kings trailed the Blazers 66-53 at the half. Sacramento had six steals with Carter, De’Aaron Fox and Bogdan Bodanovic logging two steals apiece.

Kings’ star Zach “Z-Bo” Randolph made a notable shot.

After that, the Kings had some fun on their Twitter, tweeting:
Willie: I’ll take this made shot @trailblazers: How about a foul, too.
Willie: Two points is fine
Blazers: Here’s one more
*God’s Plan starts playing*

The Kings got some help in the final seconds of the third quarter as Frank Mason III made a difficult bucket to cut their deficit to a single-digit amount of eight (88-80).

The Kings’ offense and defense proceeded to make the necessary shots and blocks, respectively. But they were unable to catch up to the Blazers in their season series finale and lost in a 116-99 blowout in Portland.

Notes
Kings’ starting lineup:
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Up Next
The Kings return to Sacramento to host the Nets on Wednesday night at 7:30 pm PT.

Evander Kane was front and center in Sharks’ 5-2 win over Oilers; Logan Couture expressed happiness with new pieces

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Photo credit: @SanJoseSharks

By Jerry Feitelberg

When it comes to making a good first impression, the San Jose Sharks’ newest acquisition gets passing marks. Evander Kane, acquired Monday at the trade deadline from the Buffalo Sabres for a pair of conditional draft picks, and Danny O’Regan, was front and center during the Sharks’ 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers at SAP Center on Tuesday night. The forward, playing on the wing on San Jose’s top line, picked up two assists while proving instrumental in the top line’s success, flanking Joe Pavelski along with Joonas Donskoi.

San Jose rode an explosive second period to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 4-1 lead after 40 minutes of play. Joe Pavelski picked up a goal and three assists for a four-point night while Justin Braun, Chris Tierney, Timo Meier and Logan Couture all scored for San Jose. Eric Fehr, another trade acquisition making his home debut, notched his 100th career assist and Martin Jones stopped 22 of 24 Oilers’ shots. Connor McDavid and Jesse Puljujarvi scored for Edmonton.

McDavid, reigning Hart Trophy winner as Most Valuable Player, opened the scoring 4:33 into the first period after displaying all the tools that make him a superstar. McDavid showed his trademark burst of speed to burn past Kevin Labanc then unleashed his all-world shot to beat Jones cleanly for his 28th goal of the year.

The Sharks would answer back in a big way in the second period though, and right in the middle of things was San Jose’s new top line. 1:20 into the middle stanza Joe Pavelski made the kind of play you’ve seen his teammates start many times. There was Pavelski in the goal crease, waiting for one of his trademark tips. This time though, it was Evander Kane initiating the play. Kane’s shot-pass went perfectly to Pavelski to tie the game, one of many dynamic moments for the newly established line.

The goal wasn’t without the kind of controversy that will follow a player as physical as Kane can be while toeing an edge between legal and illegal contact. Kane took out defenseman Matt Benning in the corner on a borderline hit, allowing for the breakout to be sprung. Kane, however, is not shy to drop the mitts as is evidenced by his extensive youtube highlights, giving the Sharks some much needed sandpaper.

Kane picked up his second assist as a Shark just over five minutes later after Justin Braun’s point shot deflected ever so much off an Oilers stick past goalie Cam Talbot. Pavelski picked up an assist on the goal for his second point of the night.

Timo Meier picked up his 16th goal of the year after an impressive display of his power forward prowess. Meier drove from the corner to the front of the net, flipping a backhander that found its way through a leaky Talbot for a 3-0 lead. Pavelski picked up his second assist on the goal with 3:45 left in the second.

Logan Couture stuck with a chance curling off the boards a little over a minute later. Couture was trying to feed a cross-crease pass to Tomas Hertl at the far post, but Adam Larsson was able to block off the pass. The puck bounced off Larsson’s skate and Couture worked to the loose puck, flipping it over Talbot for a 4-1 lead with 2:22 left in the middle frame.

Puljujarvi found some chemistry with the Oilers deadline acquisition Pontus Aberg early in the third period. Aberg fed Puljujarvi for his 10th goal of the season 6:06 into the final period. The Oilers would remain silent over the remainder of the contest and Chris Tierney would pot an empty-netter with 55 seconds left for his 16th goal of the season to cap the 5-2 win in Kane’s debut.

The Sharks continue the homestand with contests against the Blackhawks Thursday and Columbus Sunday. They continue to hold on to the second spot in the Pacific Division after leaders Vegas fell to the Los Angeles Kings 4-1. Los Angeles is just two points behind San Jose for second with 75 points with fourth place Anaheim three back at 74.

 

Golden State Warriors Podcast with David Zizmor: Warriors cruise in win past Knickerbockers; get set for Wizards Wednesday night

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Photo credit: nba.com/warriors

On the Warriors podcast with David:

The Warriors continue their roll with a 125-111 win on Monday night in New York at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks. For the Warriors, Klay Thompson had 26 points followed by Stephen Curry’s 21 points. You can see the Warriors are starting to turn thing around as the Oklahoma City game was like the big test. You saw them kick it into gear against the Clippers against the Thunder. They really went into overdrive.

They were closer to cruise control in the Knicks game. New York in the first half made the Warriors sweat a little bit and in the third quarter is when the Warriors normally excel ahead of themselves in the last three or four years they just put everything together. The shots just started to come easy, the defense played really well by the time the third quarter was over, the game was kind of out of reach for the Knicks.

Hear it all David does the Warriors podcast each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

That’s Amaury’s Podcast, News and Commentary: Mad Bum just getting tuned up; are players ready for the “quicker game”, Ohtani ready to pitch after finishing hitting

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photo latimes.com: Los Angeles Angels pitcher and outfielder Shohei Ohtani takes a cut for an RBI single during Tuesday’s spring training game

On That’s Amaury’s Podcast:

1 Madison Bumgarner struck out five of nine hitters on Sunday in his spring pitching debut he was not his old self last season when he had come back from his dirt bike accident of last season

2 With the MLB changes of less visits to the around less TV ad time are the players ready for these changes

3 The Angels Shohei Ohtani walked twice and hit an RBI single not to mention he’s due up in the rotation. Let the pitcher bat.

4 King Felix took a come backer off his right arm suffering an arm contusion manager Scott Servis says the Mariners starter is day to day

5 Lastly on the MLB Hispanic Heritage Museum any new developments and a new location for the museum

Amaury is the Spanish play by play talent for the Oakland A’s, Vice President of the MLB Hispanic Heritage Museum, and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

San Jose State’s Jalen James and Ryan Singer will play in final home game on Senior Night vs. Utah State

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Photo credit: @SJSUAthletics

By: Ana Kieu

San Jose State hosts Utah State on Wednesday night
The San Jose State men’s basketball team plays its final home game of the 2017-18 season on Wednesday night. It’s Senior Night inside the Event Center and the program will honor Jalen James and Ryan Singer, whom will play in their final home game as Spartans. Tipoff is set for 7:00 pm PT on the Mountain West Network. Spartan fans can tune into KLIV 1590 AM and hear radio broadcaster Justin Allegri.

Mountain West Tournament tickets on sale

Single-game and all-session tickets for the upcoming Mountain West Tournament in Las Vegas are on sale now on SJSUSpartans.com/tickets. Head to the website today and make your plans to see the Spartans in their opening-round game on Wednesday, March 7, at 4:00 pm PT inside the Thomas & Mack Center. The ticket office can be reached by telephone at 408-924-7589.

Game #28
San Jose State (3-24, 0-16 MW) vs. Utah State (14-15, 7-9 MW)
Wednesday, February 28, 7:00 pm PT
The Event Center (5,000)
San Jose, Calif.

TV: Mountain West Network
Radio: KLIV 1590 AM

SJSU’s last meeting with USU
The Spartans and Aggies met in this season’s MW opener back on December 27 in Logan, Utah. The result was an 86-72 win for Utah State, which scored 36 points off of 23 Spartan turnovers. Ryan Welage scored a team-high 22 points while Jaycee Hillsman added a career-high 18 points for SJSU.

USU had four players in double-figure scoring led by Koby McEwen with 24 points. The Spartans finished the game shooting 50 percent from the field and out-rebounded the Aggies 40-23, but the 36 points off of turnovers handed USU the win.

SJSU’s history with USU
From a SJSU perspective, their series history with USU isn’t pretty. The Aggies have won 21 straight games dating back to 2008 and own a 60-21 advantage in the all-time series. SJSU’s last win against USU came on February 18, 2008, at home by a score of 70-67.

What has changed for SJSU?
One big thing that has changed for SJSU since the last meeting with USU is the development of redshirt freshman Keith Fisher III. He was held scoreless in just 14 minutes of action during the first meeting. Fisher enters Wednesday night averaging a team-high 18.4 points and 8.2 rebounds over the last five games. He has scored 20 or more points in three of the last five and reached double-figure scoring in seven of the last nine games.

Where is Welly?
Ryan Welage went 0-for-2 from downtown last game against SDSU, so he remains tied for SJSU’s all-time lead with 153 made 3-pointers. He have one more shot to take the record all for himself in front of the home crowd with just one make from downtown on Wednesday night. Welage sits 28 points away from taking over as the sixth-leading scorer in program history. He’s currently in seventh place with 1,209 career points.

Jalen James and Ryan Singer will play in their final home game as Spartans
Senior Jalen James will be suiting up for his 115th game as a Spartan on Wednesday night. The fifth-year senior helped SJSU get its first MW win on the road at Nevada with a game-winning shot with 1.2 seconds remaining. James also recorded just the second triple-double in program history when he has 12 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists on the road at Houston back in December of 2013.

Singer injured his knee during SJSU’s third game of the season and will call it a career after appearing in 48 games since his arrival in 2014-15.

Kings are young and defenseless in home loss to the Timberwolves

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20180226_HA_KingsVsTwolves0 (6)
Photo courtesy of Hector Azecuma/Sacramento Bee

By Morris Phillips

SACRAMENTO–Yeah, the Kings are on another losing skid, but they’re not the only one. Losing streaks abound among the NBA’s bottom quarter, with six of the eight clubs on streaks excepting the Brooklyn Nets who beat the Bulls on Monday to snap an eight-game skid.

What gives? Any truth to the rumors that the tightly-bunched bottom dwellers are battling each other for better draft day positioning by tanking? If so, being bad and playing bad don’t make it an obvious conclusion to draw.

For example, take the Kings. Bad performances, poor defense and desultory results at home in the Golden 1 Center have been part of their DNA all season. So what’s different?

Somehow, someway, the Kings just get younger and younger.

In Monday’s 118-100 loss to the visiting Timberwolves, only Kosta Koufos had more than three years of NBA experience among the nine Kings that played. Recent trade acquisition Bruno Caboclo made his NBA debut, Frank Mason played his third game since returning from injury, and veterans Zach Randolph and Vince Carter were healthy scratches while Garrett Temple and Iman Shumpert sat out due to injury.

Not surprisingly, the Kings already-compromised defense had a particularly rough night.

“They got in the paint too much, shrunk up the court, bottled us up and we fouled them too much,” Sacramento coach Dave Joerger said. ”Their physicality was a lot.”

Joerger’s statement regarding the Wolves could have been solely about Karl-Anthony Towns, who led Minnesota with 26 points, 17 rebounds. Frequently matched against college teammate Willie Cauley-Stein, Towns’ production more than masked the absence of the high scoring Jimmy Butler.

For a half, the Kings looked pretty good, much like they did February 6 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, when they shot 47 percent from the floor and placed six guys in double figures in a narrow 111-106 loss to the Wolves. But the Kings again suffered a horrendous quarter competitively–this time the third–allowing Minnesota to extend their 3-point, halftime lead to 20.

Towns had just one basket in the third as the Kings struggled tob stop anyone in a dark blue uniform, allowing 34 points in the quarter. Seven Wolves converted at least one basket in the frame, led by Jeff Teague with eight points and two assists.

“The unselfishness has been there all year. We have to continue to do that,” Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau said. ” Defensively, we have got to keep working at it.”

Minnesota shot 52 percent from the floor, and recorded 22 assists on 39 made baskets. They shot 43 percent from three, and generally looked way to comfortable for any group emerging from a visiting NBA locker room.

Tank job for the Kings? Probably not. Unfortunately, they provided the same level of resistance Monday as they have in their first 27 home contests this season. That’s how they got to 8-20, easily the league’s worst home record.