Despite Better Effort Kings Drop Their Fourth Pre-Season Game to Jazz 117-114

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Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (11) runs up the court to prepare to defend with the Utah Jazz John Collins (20) in the foreground with basketball at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tue Oct 15, 2024 (Getty photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (0-4) made some vast improvement in their matchup with the Utah Jazz (4-1) despite losing 117-114. They finished the game with only 11 turnovers a far cry from the 27 they had last Sunday.

They had a better effort from beyond the arc. The first half was back and forth with 13 lead changes but the second half saw the Jazz take the lead for much of the third and fourth quarters. The high for the Kings was Domantas Sabonis with another double double. He finished the game with 29 points, 8 assists and 13 rebounds.

Game recap: As this game got underway, it could not have been closer. After the first 12 minutes of play, the Kings trailed 30-31. There were lead changes throughout not only the first quarter but the second quarter as well.

Utah won the second quarter by a single point 27-26 and led at the half 58-56. Domantas Sabonis was having a great game scoring 23 points with nine rebounds on the edge of another double double.

De’Aaron Fox and DeMar DeRozan would be looking for more offense in the second half. Each of them had seven points in the first half. Sacramento had really cleaned up the turnovers in the first half with only six to Utah’s 15. This was a vast improvement over their last game against Portland and they were looking for more of the same in the second half.

The Jazz began to build a lead in the third quarter and at 5:42 led 77-68. The Kings head coach Mike Brown wasted no time calling a timeout when the team began to fall further and further behind not liking at all what he was seeing.

Sacramento would pull to within four points but by quarters end, the Jazz pushed back taking the lead 85-76 with under two minutes left in the third. After three quarters the Jazz had a 87-83 lead. De’Aaron Fox hit a 50-foot jumper at the buzzer to close out the third.

Less than two minutes into the fourth quarter the Kings trailed by two points 87-89. At 9:26, this game was tied at 92. Down the stretch at 6:31, the Jazz had a 98-97 lead and this game was up for grabs.

The game was again tied at 105 with 4:21 left on the clock. With under a minute left in the game the Jazz were clinging to a one-point lead 113-112. This game was going down to the wire. The Kings just could not get over the top losing to Utah 117-114 for their fourth pre-season loss.

Domantas Sabonis had the high for the Kings with 29 points, eight assists and 16 rebounds for another double double. DeAaron Fox finished with 22 points and seven rebounds which included the 50-ft shot at the third quarter buzzer.

Keegan Murray had 21 points and five rebounds. The Kings ball protection was great with only 11 turnovers much improved over previous games.

Keyonte George was the high for the Jazz with 24 points .

Game notes: Sunday the Kings got blown out of the water by the Trail Blazers 105-85. They had 27 turnovers and struggled defensively. Tuesday night the Kings lost to Utah (4-1) and failed to pick up their first win of the pre-season.

They were also looking for much improved ball protection as well as better offense and defense. It was a rough game for the Sacramento starters Sunday and they didn’t get much production Tuesday in Utah. When you see that starting lineup scoring barely ten points apiece you have to scratch your head. Curious. With all the turnovers, this team was not playing as a unit and Tuesday night they played a lot closer game with the Jazz but again lost and fell three points short.

The Kings will play their final pre-season game Thursday night taking on the Los Angeles Clippers looking for their first win of the pre-season. They played a far improved game Tuesday and they are moving in the right direction with the season a little over a week away. Tipoff for Thursday is scheduled for 7:30 PM PT at Crypto.com Arena.

MLB Post Season podcast on That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Mets tie series 1-1 with Vientos grand slam; Yanks go up on Guardians 2-0

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The New York Mets Mark Vientos rounds the bases with a second inning grand slam home run at Dodger Stadium in game 2 of the NLCS. The Mets went onto tie the series at 1-1 on Mon Oct 14, 2024 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 New York Mets Mark Vientos hit a grand slam home run to help defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Monday night for a commanding 7-3 win to even the series 1-1.

#2 Amaury after getting clobbered in a 9-0 shutout the Mets regrouped and scored some runs with the Vientos grand slam and that big second inning five run rally.

#3 After Mets starter Sean Manaea five innings allowed two hit and two runs. The Mets relievers Phil Maton, Ryne Stanek, and Edwin Diaz came in and didn’t allow a run.

#4 New York Yankees showed their a powerhouse and they got big help in game 1 in the ALCS on Monday night with home run help from Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton for a 5-2, over the Cleveland Guardians.

#5 The Yankees got some pitching with starter Carlos Rodon went six innings, three hits and one earned run. Rodon had injuries when he first joined the Yankees but this season he’s got tracked and has been a big part of the starting rotation.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez podcasts That’s Amaury News and Commentary Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Fall 3-2 to Dallas in Shootout; SJ drops third game in a row

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The San Jose Sharks goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood (29) stops a shot by the Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston (53) in the first period at American Airlines Center in Dallas on Tue Oct 15, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks were defeated 3-2 in a shootout by the Dallas Stars Tuesday at American Airlines Center in Dallas. Matt Duchene, Roope Hintz and Wyatt Johnston scored for the Stars. Jake Oettinger made 25 saves for the win. Tyler Toffoli and Ty Dellandrea scored for the Sharks. MacKenzie Blackwood made 36 saves in the loss.

The Sharks’ penalty kill was perfect Tuesday but their power play was disappointing. Of the third period five-on-three power play, Tyler Toffoli said: “Obviously it wasn’t very good and we had other opportunities on the power play after as well and we didn’t capitalize and probably one of the reasons we lost the game.”

Sharks Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky also discussed that two man advantage that failed: “It just looked like it was a little disconnected and obviously in a five-on-three in that type of game we’ve got to be ready to go. And I thought we were just a little disconnected.”

In a scoreless first period, the Stars outshot the Sharks by just one shot, 10-9. The Sharks took the only penalty, a double minor against Barclay Goodrow.

Tyler Toffoli scored the first goal of the game at 6:24 of the second period. He took advantage of a turnover at the Sharks’ blue line and broke out the other way.

Matt Duchene tied the game at 12:03, tipping a shot from Mason Marchment. An additional assist went to Logan Stankoven.

Just over three minutes later, Ty Dellandrea gave the Sharks a 2-1 lead. Dellamdrea intercepted a pass in the Sharks’ zone, then passed the puck forward to Nico Sturm at the Stars’ blue line. Sturm carried it in and took a shot. Oettinger stopped that but Dellandrea was following up and caught the rebound to score.

Roope Hintz tied it back up two minutes after that. Wyatt Johnston passed the puck across the ice to Jason Robertson, who sent it back to Hintz in the slot for the shot. Blackwood could not keep up with all that back and forth.

The Stars outshot the Sharks 15-5 in the second period. The Sharks again took the only penalty, a minor against Jan Rutta. The third period was scoreless as the first but the Stars took three penalties, including some five-on-three time for the Sharks. The shots were 12-11 Stars.

During overtime, the Sharks again took a penalty, and had two shots to the Stars’ one.

In the shootout, Matt Duchene and Wyatt Johnston scored for the Stars. Mikael Granlund scored for the Sharks.

The Sharks next play on Thursday against the Blackhawks in Chicago at 6:30 PM PT.

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Raiders try to end two game skid Sunday in LA

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell (12) tries to scramble for some open daylight while pursued by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk (92) in first half action at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sun Oct 13, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 The Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) put up the Steel Curtain against the Las Vegas Raiders (2-4) offense and sank the Good Ship Las Vegas 32-13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas Sunday.

#2 The Steelers in first half action saw kicker Chris Boswell kick two field goals one a 52 yarder in the first quarter and a 49 yarder in the second quarter. The Steelers quarterback Justin Fields carried for a three yard touchdown and Pittsburgh came away with a 12-7 first half lead.

#3 The Raiders had problems stopping Najee Harris who rushed for 106 yards. It was the first time in Harris’ career he surpassed 100 yards.

#4 The Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell didn’t fare very well throwing 27-40, 277 yards, one touchdown. The Raiders would only get a touchdown in the first quarter and fourth quarters but it wasn’t enough.

#5 Raiders are off to the Southland and the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams are having their own struggles dropping to 1-4 in their last game on Sun Oct 6 to the Green Bay Packers 24-19 at So Fi Stadium. Raiders come in as the visiting team and Rams looking for a win as well how do you see this match up next Sunday.

Join Tony Renteria for the Raiders podcasts after each Raiders home and away game at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast: Adams traded to New York Jets, is expected to start this Sunday in Pittsburgh

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Former Las Vegas Raiders running back Devante Adams was looking forward to a trade and should be satisfied going to the New York Jets. Adams contract will be restructured for 2025 and 2026 by the Jets. (photo still ESPN)

On the Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez:

#1 Rich, former Raiders running back Devante Adams got what he wanted a trade that sent him to the New York Jets for a second and third draft pick.

#2 The deal to get Adams was based on a restructured contract. Details of Adams contract were not forthcoming but it’s believed that adjustments for his 2025 and 2026 contracts are in the works.

#3 Adams who didn’t play in week 6 against the Pittsburgh Steelers with the Raiders. Adams most likely will play for the Jets this Sunday against the Steelers in Pittsburgh.

#4 Talk about some of the circumstances that made Adams unhappy when he was at the Raiders. There was little doubt that he had a falling out with head coach Antonio Pierce.

#5 With Adams joining the Jets there is no doubt the re-union between Adams and quarterback Aaron Rogers is something that the Jets and Rogers are looking forward to.

Rich Perez is a Las Vegas Raiders podcaster at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Los Tiburones – Successful Hispanic Night at SAP in San José

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NBC Sports California’s Amaury Pi Gonzalez (left and author) on color and Carlos Ramirez (right) on play by play, call the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and San Jose Sharks NHL game on Sat Oct 12, 2024, on Los Tiburones Night at SAP Center in San Jose (photo provided by Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

Los Tiburones — Successful Hispanic Night at SAP in San José

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

On Saturday, October 12, the Sharks celebrated Hispanic Night at the SAP Arena. A capacity crowd of 17,916 joined the fiesta with 100X100 Hispanic flavor, including a live Mariachi band, Balet Folklórico Mexicano.

Los Tiburones played their California rivals, the Anaheim Ducks. It was a very entertaining night, which ended with a 2-0 win for the visiting Ducks.

The action was broadcast live on NBC Sports California, with all the action in Spanish on the Secondary Audio Channel, as well as on Sharks Audio, with Carlos Ramírez handling all the play-by-play and Amaury Pi-González providing commentary and promotional announcements for the whole 2024-25 Sharks season.

Sergio Almodovar, coordinator for the Sharks Media Relations, joined us after the second half ended with insightful information about the 2024-25 Sharks season; he talked about how important the Hispanic community is for the San José Sharks.

Almodovar, born and raised in the Bay Area, is of Mexican heritage. San José is over 30% Hispanic and a community that keeps growing. Some of the most famous Spanish media in the Bay Area are in San José, including KSTS CH 48 Telemundo Network, and some of the highest audiences in Spanish on radio stations in the Bay Area’s largest city.

San José is California’s third most populous city, #1 Los Angeles, #2 San Diego. The largest city in Northern California is a global hub for the high-tech industry, home of world-famous Silicon Valley—hosts annual conferences like Facebook F8 and the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference.

Spanish is the State of California’s unofficial second language. With a total population of around 40 million, there are nearly 20 million Hispanics. Here in the nine=-county Bay Area, 20% of the population is Hispanic/Latino, by far the largest minority in the State and in the Bay Area.

As of July 1, 2023, the Hispanic population in the United States was 65.2 million. The United States of America is #2 with the most significant number of Spanish speakers. México is number one, with 128 million people who speak Spanish.

The Florida Panthers, Chicago Blackhawks, and Vegas Knights have all added Spanish-language broadcasts to serve their Hispanic fan bases.

As Sports Anchor of Telemundo CH 48 San José in 1991-92, I covered the Sharks, even before they built the SAP Center. Covered their first game at the Cow Palace in Daly City (before moving to San José to their current digs).

It was on October 5, 1991, against the Vancouver Canucks, during that 1991-92 season, their first they played at the Cow Palace before moving to the SAP Center in San José in 1993.

In 2016, they covered the first Stanley Cup for the team as they played the Pittsburgh Penguins and lost the series in seven games.

The San José Sharks partnership with the Hispanic/Latino community is more important today than ever.

The Sharks are now a Bay Area institution for the last 33 years. And we all hope their best season are soon to come.

Catch Amaury Pi Gonzalez on That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara Mason: Kings drop to 0-3 after getting nailed by Trail Blazers 105-85

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Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (11) drives the basketball against the Portland Trail Blazers at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Sun Oct 13, 2024 (Sacramento Kings X photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 Barbara,The Sacramento Kings hosted the Portland Trail Blazers in the third Preseason game Sunday at the Golden One Center losing 105-85.

#2 The Kings are still working on the new starting rotation with the new addition Demar DeRozan and Keon Ellis filling in for an injured Kevin Huerter and it showed as they had 26 turnovers.

#3 Kings turnovers and the Trail Blazers three point shooting put the Kings in a very deep hole as Portland Took a nine point lead into the half.

#4 Kings head coach Mike Brown is still working on this line up and hopefully it will perform better by the season opener than they did Sunday. 

#5  The Kings travel to Utah to play the Jazz for their final preseason game on October 15th. They play their last pre season against Thu Oct 17 against the Los Angeles Clippers in the Southland.

Join Barbara Mason for the Sacramento Kings podcast Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda host Iowa Saturday after splitting two in Ontario

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The Ontario Reign defenseman Joe Hicketts (27) and the San Jose Barracuda forward Tristin Robbins (52) battle on the Toyota Center ice on Sun Oct 13, 2024 (San Jose Barracuda podcast X photo)

On the San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic:

#1 The San Jose Barracuda (1-1-0-0) allowed two goals with just two minutes left in their contest against the Ontario Reign (1-1-0-0) at the Toyota Center in Ontario. That was after holding a 3-2 lead and losing it 4-3 on Sunday to conclude the two game set.

#2 San Jose got scoring help from Tristin Robins and Filip Bystedt both scoring their first goals of the season and goaltender Georgi Ramanov stop 35 shots.

#3 The Reign who got blasted by the Barracuda on Saturday 5-0 were hopping mad and in the first period got a goal from Tyler Madden (1). The Barracuda later would tie it up at one a piece on a 4 on 4 play when as Robins (1) scored at 4:24.

#4 In the second period the Barracuda would take a 3-2 lead with a Bystedt ‘s goal the Reign would counter with a goal from Martin Chormiak at 2:12. It was the third period that burned the Barracuda when the Reign would score two unanswered goals from Samuel Helenius to tie it and win it in regulation.

#5 The Barracuda return back to Tech CU for a home game against the Iowa Wild on Sat Oct 19 a 7:00pm PT face off. Iowa is 0-2-0-0 this should be a good opportunity for the Barracuda on home ice.

Join Marko Ukalovic for Barracuda hockey podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Raiders dropped their second straight game; losing to Steelers, 32-13, in Sin City

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (right) gets by Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (left) for a touchdown in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sun Oct 13, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders (2-4) rolled Craps against the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2), 32-13, on a Sunday Afternoon in the Silver State.

The Raiders fell two games below .500, while failing to stop the Steel City boys from the Quaker State from controlling the scoreboard and the stadium 32-13. There was an overwhelming presence by the well traveled Western Pennsylvania Steelers’ Faithful,, as well as several hundred, to thousands of transplants.

Pittsburgh got on the board first with a 52-yard field goal by kicker Chris Boswell.. The Steelers first drive slowed down, and they settled for a FG. Within the first five minutes of the game, the Black & Goal led the Silver and Black 3-0.

Within the last five minutes of the quarter, the Raiders responded. A three yard TD run by running back Alexander Mattison put the home team up 7-3. That was also the score after the first 15 minutes expired.

The second stanza was all Pittsburgh, as Justin Fields and Boswell provided all the scoring. Boswell booted a 49-yarder, and Fields converted a three yard keeper. At the midpoint of the contest, the Keystone State guests were up 12-7. Justin Fields used both modes of operation, as he passed for 83 yards and rushed for 43.

The second half was more of the same, with Pittsburgh totally controlling the third quarter, adding ten more points to their total. Boswell hit another FG through the uprights (37), and the Steelers led 15-7 at that point of the game. About five minutes later, running back Najee Harris scampered into the the end zone from 36 yards from scrimmage. 22-7, Steelers after 3/4 of the battle was over..

The final quarter was perpetual steel driving, as an interception by the disrespectful Pennsylvanians was immediately converted into more points. Justin Fields decided to end all the nonsense and rush to pay dirt with another keeper (7). Steelernation went up by 22 points, 29-7.

There was still a lot of the quarter left, and the Raiders managed to use that to their advantage. Aidan O’Connell tossed a nine yard TD pass to wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson to bring the deficit to 16 points (29-13), because they failed on the two point conversion.

The Steelers had more ammunition as Boswell used his leg again to increase the lead. With just under four mints left in the game, Pittsburgh’s kicker made another one from 36 yards. The Steelers led 32-13, and would hang on to that margin until the final whistle, after 60 minutes of regulation time.

The Raiders are next in action Sunday, October 20 in Los Angeles, to take on the Rams at 1:05 PM PDT on CBS. The Steelers fly cross-country to host the New York Jets, also on the 20th at 8:15 PM EST.

Barracuda Fall 4-3 to Reign, Reign Score 2 in Final 90 Seconds

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San Jose Barracuda center Filip Bystedt (18) celebrates a goal scored with teammate forward Kasper Halttunen (14) at the Toyota Center in Ontario on Sun Oct 13, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Barracuda fell 4-3 to the Ontario Reign Sunday. It was Ontario’s first win of the season. Tyler Madden, Martin Chromiak and Samuel Helenius scored for the Reign. Phoenix Copley made 19 saves for the win. Tristen Robins, Colin Graf and Filip Bystedt scored for the Barracuda. Georgi Romanov made 35 saves in the loss.

Tyler Madden scored the first goal of the game, giving Ontario an early lead at 1:33. During a delayed penalty call, Madden gathered up a rebound at the corner of the net and lifted it past Romanov. Assists went to Martin Chromiak and Jakub Dvorak.

The teams were skating four-on-four when Tristen Robins tied the game at 4:24. Robins took tha shot from a bad angle to the right of the net. Assists went to Jimmy Schuldt and Jake Furlong.

Collin Graf gave the Barracuda the lead at 11:04. On a breakaway, he took a shot in front of the net, caught his own rebound and lifted the puck past the goaltender.

The Reign had a significant lead in shots at the end of the first period, 14-7. There was just one penalty that resulted in a power play in the first, and it went against San Jose.

Filip Bystedt added to San Jose’s lead at 1:50 of the second period. Tristen Robins carried the puck in and passed across the ice to Bystedt for a quick goal.

Martin Chromiak cut the lead down with a goal just 22 seconds later. Tyler Madden made a cross-ice pass and Chromiak took the shot from above the faceoff dot.

In the second period, the teams were even in shots at 9-9. The Reign had three power plays and the Barracuda had two but both penalty kills were perfect. The same held true for the third period, when Ontario had two power plays and San Jose had one but neither team could score.

San Jose held their 3-2 lead until 18:44 of the third period, when Samuel Helenius tied the game with an extra skater on for the Reign.

With the game looking like it would go to overtime, Helenius scored a second goal at 19:26 to win the game. Jeff Malott got the assist.

San Jose pulled their goaltender with less than 30 seconds to go but they ran out of time. The shot count in the third period was 16-6 Ontario.

The Barracuda next play on Saturday the 19th back in San Jose against the visiting Iowa Wild at 7:00 PM PT.