Despite Slow Start, Sacramento Takes Care of Business in Los Angeles 130-120

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Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) defends and the Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) tries to get the shot in first half action at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Wed Mar 6, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (35-26) had a horrible start in the first quarter of their game against the Los Angeles Lakers (34-30). It was like night and day between the opening quarter and the second quarter. Sacramento won the second quarter 44-20 and they kept their foot on the pedal for the rest of the game. The Lakers challenged at times but the Kings held on for the 130-120 win at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Game recap: Wednesday night the Kings take on the Lakers in Los Angeles looking to get back on track. The Kings are currently in seventh place in the Western Conference while the Lakers are in ninth place with only a game and a half separating the two teams.

Both will be playing for the win trying to avoid the dreaded play-in game. Sacramento needs to get a strong start, and most of all they need to finish strong and keep an eye on those turnovers.

They had 18 turnovers in the Chicago game. The Kings will be playing with a full roster while the Lakers will be missing at least three players with Cabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood out with injury.

There is also an outside possibility that LeBron James and Anthony Davis may not play now being listed as questionable. The Kings are 2-0 against the Lakers this season. This game carries major importance for both teams and it will no doubt prove to be a battle.

The Kings did not get the start they wanted with three turnovers, one unforced, in the early minutes of the first quarter. It was an ugly start for Sacramento. They looked to be completely out of sync and needed to generate some second chance shots as well as more efficient offense.

The Lakers continued to cruise leading 30-13 with four minutes left in the opening quarter. The Kings had fouled six times, the Lakers had a single foul and the Kings had ground to make up going into the second quarter trailing 28-37. The Kings did close the quarter with a 10-0 run after trailing by 19 points and Sacramento was starting to come around.

The Kings turned up the pace to start the second quarter cutting the Laker’s lead to six points 40-34. Malik Monk entered the game bringing his trademark energy as this game began to turn in favor of Sacramento.

With six minutes left in the half, the Kings had tied up this game at 48 and seconds later taken the lead 50-48. Monk was making incredible decisions shooting for 17 points in 13 minutes and Sacramento had it all going on.

Monk had really spear-headed this King’s comeback. With less than two minutes left in the second quarter the Kings had taken a 64-51 lead in this turnaround. Sacramento had sucked the energy out of Crypto.com Arena. At the half the Kings had taken a 72-57 lead. They had a 44 point quarter and won the second quarter by a landslide 44-20.

De’Aaron Fox finished the first half with 20 points closely followed by Malik Monk with 19. The Kings had really turned the triples around hitting 10 of 20. Davion Mitchell was a perfect 4 of 4 from downtown. Sacramento would need more of this intensity in the second half.

The Lakers put together a 9-2 run to win the third quarter 35-32. The Kings lead had been cut but every time the Lakers challenged, the Kings answered continuing to maintain a double digit lead going into the fourth quarter. Sacramento needed to hang onto the lead, they needed to finish this game. With only a 12 point lead, the Lakers were within striking distance.

Los Angeles continued to push and the Kings pushed right back taking a 21 point lead 118-97 four minutes into the fourth quarters. The Laker’s continued to hang around cutting the King’s lead to 12 points 120-108 with under five minutes left in the game.

With under three minutes left on the clock this game became clutch; Sacramento had to finish this game. The Kings refused to let this game go winning 130-120.

This was the third straight win over the Lakers for the Kings this season. Fox had the high for the game with 44 points. Off the bench, Monk really got this game going in favor of Sacramento in the second quarter finishing with 26 points.

There was another triple double for Domantas Sabonis with 20 rebounds, 12 assists and 16 points. This guy never ceases to amaze. After the slow start, the Kings started to play lights out basketball and hung on for the win.

Every starter for the Lakers had double digits but they could not match the play of the Kings tonight.

Post game notes: There is so much going for the Kings right now. Sabonis leads the league in rebounding, double-doubles and triple-doubles. He has 43 consecutive double doubles right now. The Kings have an ace on the bench who just may be the leading candidate for sixth man this season in Monk.

Of course the Kings also have clutch player in Fox who is supported by the above mentioned along with Keegan Murray, Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter. With so much talent their win/loss pattern is sometimes confusing. Last Friday Sacramento beat the first place Minnesota Timberwolves 124-120. They went on to lose to the Chicago Bulls after leading for all but the final minute of play. The team managed to turn the ball over three times in the final 1 1/2 minutes missing critical baskets. They couldn’t close out this game.

As the season begins to wind down every game is critical. Thursday night, the Kings take on the San Antonio Spurs at Golden 1 Center. The Spurs have struggled all season holding down last place in the West. San Antonio comes into this game looking to play spoiler and Sacramento needs to respond. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

San Jose State Loses Final Game To Utah State 90-70

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The San Jose State Spartans guard Latrell Davis (6) and forward Tibet Gorener (5) battle Utah State Aggies forward Great Osobor (1) at Provident Credit Union Event Center in San Jose on Wed Mar 6, 2024 (AP News photo)

Wednesday, March 6th, 2024

By Troy Ewers 

San Jose, CA – In the final home game of the season, the San Jose State Spartans host Utah State. Last game Alvaro Cardenas scored 17 points to lead San José State (9-21, 2-15 Mountain West) in a 68-50 loss at UNLV (18-10, 11-5 Mountain West) on Saturday night. • Cardenas shot an efficient 6-for-9 from the field and 3-for-4 from 3-point range. On Wednesday night San Jose State lost their last game of the season by 20 points to end the season 90-70 to Utah State.

The first half for the Spartans was a fast paced half, but not with the results SJSU was hoping for. Missed shots and turnovers created a gap between Utah State and SJSU where the Spartans were further and further away from the lead.

A lack of offensive boards didn’t help the fact that the Spartans were missing shots. Only 4 offensive boards in the half. MJ Amey Jr. was taking over on offense for SJSU with 15 points in the first, but the lead was still significant for Utah State. Mason Falslev of Utah State hit a 3 pointer to end the half with a statement as they led the Spartans 53-37 at halftime. 

Hot start for Utah State and they didn’t let up the whole half. Darius Brown II had 21 points and 9 assists and Falslev had 20 points (8-11 FG, 2-3 3pt) which led Utah State in a big lead.

Falslev, despite a great game went down with two minutes left in the game with what appeared to be an ankle injury. For SJSU Amey Jr. led the Spartans with 20 points, but it was nowhere enough as they clocked in a 90-70 loss in their final regular season game.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Angels and Giants are top contenders for pitcher Blake Snell

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Former San Diego Padres pitcher Blake Snell had been mentioned as favorites of the Los Angeles Angels or San Francisco Giants. Talks are heating up for Snell’s services. (AP file photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Michael, two teams are top contenders for pitcher Blake Snell’s services the Los Angeles Angels and San Francisco Giants. Reports say Snell is open to a short term deal and may not be interested in the Angels who want to shore up their bullpen. That could make Snell a heavy favorite to join the Giants.

#2 You’ve had the chance to talk with Matt Chapman the Giants star third baseman during his Oakland A’s days. You saw what he brought to the game each day. How do you see him fitting in the line up each day and no doubt can provide some power with his bat and has a good defensive glove.

#3 Bob Melvin the Giants manager has been like a magnet getting some star players to sign with San Francisco how much did Melvin play a role in getting players like Jorge Soler, Jung hoo Lee, and Chapman to join the Giants?

#4 Giants outfielder/catcher Blake Sabol has changed uniform numbers twice giving up #2 for Soler, #26 for Chapman, and should be safe from another number switch wearing #61. Sabol whose been a great sport with the number changes says if there are some hits inside the #61 jersey he may stay with that number.

#5 Michael, do you see Melvin using Chapman at shortstop so JD Davis could get some reps at third base. Davis will be sitting a lot of games that Chapman will be starting unless he gets to DH?

Join Michael Duca for the San Francisco Giants podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Warriors hoping to rebound tonight against Bucks after Celtics thrashing

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The Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) gets the throw down on the Golden State Warriors forward Trayce Jackson Davis (32) in the second half at TD Garden in Boston on Sun Mar 3, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Golden State Warriors podcast with David:

#1 David, how much did Stephen Curry’s injury impact the Warriors loss to the Boston Celtics last Sunday. Curry scored a season low four points.

#2 The Warriors were having big success on this last road trip with wins in Washington, New York and Toronto before hitting that brick wall in Boston on Sunday. Was it a matter of the Celtics lying in wait for Golden State and just lit them up with a great offensive game plan or the Warriors were exhausted from little sleep playing four games in six days on the road?

#3 The Warriors host Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks tonight at Golden State for a 7:00pm PT tip. The Bucks are in first place in the Eastern Conference at 41-21. The Bucks have won eight out of their last ten games.

Join David Zizmor for the Warriors podcasts Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Men’s Cardinal close Pac 12 season against Cal Thursday night; Women’s Brink gets player of the year and defensive player of the year

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Stanford Cardinal were defeated by ten points by the Colorado Buffaloes in Colorado on Sun Mar 3, 2024 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Stanford’s final Pac-12 men’s basketball road game ended in Boulder, Colo., with an 81-71 defeat at the hands of Colorado Sunday at the CU Events Center.

#2 Colorado (20-9 overall, 11-7 Pac-12) was led by Tristan da Silva with a game-high 27 points on 11 of 18 shooting, including five 3-pointers. 

#3 KJ Simpson also drained five 3s and finished with 22 points. J’Vonne Hadley scored 15 points for the Buffs, followed by Eddie Lampkin with 10.

#4 The Cardinal will be hosting the Cal Bears at Maple Pavilion. After winning three straight games the Bears dropped the next two games. How do you see this final Pac 12 regular season this Thursday night at 8:00pm PT.

#5 Cameron Brink picked the women’s Player of the Year Award and the Defensive Player of the Year award an amazing season for Cameron Brink.

#6 Stanford women get ready for the Pac 12 Tournament on Thu Mar 7th most likely getting a lower seeded team. Do you see the Cardinal going deep in the month of March?

Michael Roberson is a Stanford Cardinal beat writer at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria: Kings hope to stop King James and Lakers tonight in the Southland

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The Chicago Bulls guard Coby White drives on the Sacramento Kings Malik Monk (0) at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Mon Mar 4, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony R:

#1 The Sacramento Kings (34-26) got shut down by the Chicago Bulls (29-32) in a four point loss 113-109 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

#2 One of the keys to the Bulls victory was in the fourth quarter holding the Kings to just 18 points as opposed the Bulls 36. The Bulls had to come back from behind in this game and the defense made the difference in the fourth quarter.

#3 Bulls point guard Coby White led in scoring with 37 points and power forward DeMar DeRozan led contributed with 33 points.

#4 The Kings wanted to counter with De’Aaron Fox who had 20 points and Domantas Sabonis finishing behind Fox with 18 points but it was a matter of not enough points all around and the Bulls just simply shutdown the Kings offense in the at fourth quarter.

#5 The Kings battle the tenth place Los Angeles Lakers 33-29. The Lakers have won six of their last ten games. How do you see the Kings taking on King James and the Lakers tonight at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Join Tony Renteria Tuesdays for the Sacramento Kings podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Despite A Big Night For Anthony Duclair, But The Sharks Lose 7-6 To The Stars Making It 8 Losses In A Row

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Dallas Stars defensman Chris Tanev (3), Wyatt Johnston center (53), and center Logan Stankoven (11) celebrate Tanev’s third period goal as the San Jose Sharks forward Mike Hoffman (68) skates away from the scene at SAP Center in San Jose on Tue Mar 5, 2024 (AP News photo)

Tuesday, March 5th, 2024

By Troy Ewers 

San Jose, CA – The San Jose Sharks lost the Dallas Stars in a weeknight faceoff here at the SAP Center 7-6 on Tuesday night. Last game for the Sharks on Sunday was a 4-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild. The Sharks netted three unassisted goals for the first time since Feb. 26, 2000. Anthony Duclair (1g, 0a) has seven points (6g, 1a) in his past ten games played, including a team-leading five goals since the All-Star break.

Mikael Granlund (1g, 0a) scored his first power play goal of the season and has seven points (3g, 4a) in his past eight games played. Nico Sturm (1g, 0a) notched his fifth marker of the campaign, a shorthanded goal, and has found the back of the net in two of his past four games played.

Kaapo Kähkönen logged a 28-save performance in his appearance against his former team (Minnesota). SJS Goals: Granlund (8pp), Sturm (5sh), Duclair (14).

Game recap: The first period seemed promising for San Jose fans, but by the end of the period they were reminded that the Sharks are going to “Shark”. The first goal was a power play goal courtesy of a one timer from Duclair. His 15th of the season and 1-0 start for San Jose.

The Sharks stayed on a hot start as a breakaway goal by Fabian Zetterlund with a crisp tape to tape pass from Duclair not only gave the Sharks a 2 goal lead, but Zetterlund took the top spot as leading scorer for the Sharks now with 16 goals.

By the later half of the period a Kyle Burroughs penalty led to a Dallas power play goal of their own by Jamie Benn, 2-1. 50 seconds later Stars tied it up on another power play goal from a rebound shot by Logan Stankoven, 2-2 and that was our score by intermission. 

Electric second period from the Sharks and it started with Ryan Carpenter scoring his first goal in 13 games that gave the Sharks the lead to start the period. 3-2 Sharks. Dallas would tie it up with a goal from Wyatt Johnston and that was his 20th goal of the season, 3-3.

Former Shark star Joe Pavelski got a tripping penalty and that would be the game shifter. Duclair would shove in the loose puck for his second goal of the night and that at this point tied him up with the Sharks leading goal scorer Zetterlund at 16 goals on the season, 4-3 Sharks.

The crowd would then explode when the lead for San Jose would extend to two as Filip Zadina found an open spot in the slot and scored one past Jake Oettinger, 5-3 Sharks. The period ended and the San Jose fans felt a little bit more relief going into the final period of this game. 

The final period may be one that the Sharks want to forget, but Wyatt Johnston will definitely remember. Duclair got his 4th point with a pass to Granlund, who scored while falling to his knees, 6-3 Sharks. It seemed like the game was over, but that assumption was a mistake.

Kaapo Kahkonen couldn’t find the puck as the Stars snuck one past him, 6-4 Stars and that was Stankoven’s second goal of the night. Wyatt Johnston would then get back to back goals, earning a hat trick and sending this game to OT, 6-6.

In OT the game was over pretty quick as a minute and a half in, Roope Hintz scored a wrist shot past Kappo and the game was over 7-6, Stars won.

The game was a high scoring affair and a big night for Anthony Duclair, but again for the Sharks it’s another one for the loss column, making it now eighth losses in a row. Next game for the Sharks will be Thursday, March 7th against the Islanders back at the SAP Center.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers: Sharks hope to snap 7 game skid tonight against Dallas at SAP Center

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San Jose Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen (36) defends the net as the puck goes away from Kahkonen’s stick in first period action at Target Center in St Paul on Sun Mar 3, 2024 (AP news photo)

On the San Jose Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers:

#1 The San Jose Sharks fell 4-3 to the Minnesota Wild on Sunday. Frederick Gaudreau and Kirill Kaprizov scored for the Wild, with Kaprizov earning a hat trick. Filip Gustavsson made 12 saves for the win.

#2 Mikael Granlund, Nico Sturm and Anthony Duclair scored for the Sharks despite their hard work on offense they Sharks came up a goal short.

#3 Kaapo Kahkonen made 28 saves in the loss. This was the Sharks’ first game with three unassisted goals since 2000. It was also their seventh loss in a row.

#4 Coming off back to back games on Saturday and Sunday Marco Sturm said,  “I thought for the most part we played well today because we managed the game cause we knew we weren’t at our best energy-wise today.”

#5 The Sharks had a tough challenge playing back to back games Saturday in Dallas and Sunday in Minnesota, Monday off and host the Dallas Stars Tuesday night. The Sharks playing two good hockey teams battled them both although losing by one goal showed they can hang with them. Stars and Sharks here at SAP Center what are some of the things your expecting tonight.

Troy Ewers is a San Jose Sharks beat writer at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: A’s unveil Tropicana Park renderings; They look like Sydney Opera House

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Oakland A’s ballpark rendering at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino. The rendering some say reminds them of the Sydney Opera or Canada Place in Vancouver as presented by A’s president David Kaval in Las Vegas (renderings from the Oakland A’s web page)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, Oakland A’s team president David Kaval said the A’s will be unveiling the new renderings for the Tropicana Park before this Friday’s game at Las Vegas Ballpark.

#2 If these are just artist renderings this doesn’t solve the questions about how the park’s dimensions look like. What the public wants to look at are the actual blue prints done by an architect.

#3 Amaury, are these going to be the renderings that should have been presented in the first place? Will they be blueprints done by an architect that will answer a lot of questions that the public had been looking for? If they are just artists renderings the A’s will still be at square one.

#4 The other question is the funding and it was talked about once again. Will A’s owner John Fisher come up with his share of the funding at $1.5 billion. If he can’t get a loan say from a Goldman Sachs and can’t find minority partners would he have no other choice but to come back to Oakland?

#5 Amaury, talk about the significance of the A’s hosting the two spring training games at Las Vegas Ballpark this Friday and Saturday and what message this says to both the fans in Oakland and in Las Vegas in hosting these games.

Amuary Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland Athleticos Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants officially sign Matt Chapman to 1-year deal

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Former Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman circles the bases and will be playing on a regular basis for the San Francisco Giants for the 2024 season (AP News file photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants made the signing of third-baseman Matt Chapman official today on a one-year, $18 million deal that includes player options for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, as well as a mutual option for the 2027 Season.

The Giants announced the deal at a press conference Monday at Scottsdale Stadium. Chapman was joined by Manager Bob Melvin, whom he is reuniting with after five seasons together across the bay with the Oakland Athletics from 2017 to 2021. Chapman and Melvin made no secret about their excitement for their reunion.

“We had something really special with the A’s, and unfortunately, that got ripped out of our hands and broken up,” said Chapman. “To come back here and have an opportunity with an organization like the Giants that’s not afraid to spend; a team that’s not afraid to go and get free agents and keep guys together and adding; and do all the things you expect a winning franchise to do, we have the opportunity to do that here, and I couldn’t be more excited to be part of that.”

“It just seemed like it was destiny,” Chapman added. “I think we’ve got some unfinished business [here].”

For [Champan, this is] the most comfortable spot, and he love[s] playing in the Bay Area,” said Melvin.

Indeed, Chapman is wasting no time making himself comfortable with the Giants.

“Since I’ve been here, I [have felt] super comfortable,” said Chapman. “Going through the defenses, going through all the drills. Got to do it for seven years, so it was just like riding a bike.”

However, Chapman’s arrival means that JD Davis has lost his job as the Giants’ everyday third-baseman. The speculation on the future of Davis is all over the place, from roles as a late-inning pinch-hitter, to being traded. Only time will tell for Davis.

Another player whose future is clouded by the arrival of Chapman is Casey Schmitt. Schmitt had an exciting rookie season for the Giants in 2023, and could perhaps see time as a utility man, as he tried to make even more noise in his sophomore season.

Though, no matter what happens, this off-season has proven that the Giants and President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi are willing to spend money. Despite losing out on Shohei Ohtani and prized starting pitcher, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Zaidi committed to spending over $250 million, as he added Jung-hoo Lee, Jordan Hicks and Jorge Soler.

Chapman is a career-.240 hitter. While his defense is his forte, Chapman also provides power. The Giants are hoping that Jorge Soler can end the Giants’ streak of 19-straight seasons without a 30-home run season from a player, but Chapman could end the streak as well.

Chapman hit 36 home runs with the A’s in 2019; 27 with the A’s in 2021; and 27 with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2022. Chapman hit .240 with 17 home runs for Toronto in 2023.

Chapman is the second of the “Boras Four” to be signed. Cody Bellinger was re-signed by the Chicago Cubs to a three-year deal on Feb. 28. Starting pitchers Jordan Montgomery, and 2023 National League Cy Young Award Winner Blake Snell remained unsigned, but the Giants are believed to be in the running for snell.

Scott Boras indeed accompanied Chapman to his press conference, and he and Chapman offered their thoughts on the situation surrounding Boras and his clients.

“[It was] definitely a strange market this year,” said Chapman, who is expected to try free agency again after this season if his power numbers go back up. “The free agent market was a little abnormal. Our goals were to either get a long-term contract that we felt that I was worth. If not, get the short-term contract with opt-outs and bet on myself.”

“Obviously teams have different thoughts,” said Boras. “There are teams that want long-term [deals] for their particular reasons, and there are teams that want short-term. You kind of listen to both dynamics of what each team has, and wants, and talk to your clients and see what they want to do.”

Chapman also dispelled the reputation that the City of San Francisco has for homelessness and crime.

“I chose to come here,” said Chapman. “I think everybody’s different. Everybody has different things that matter to them, but I’m from California. I played in the Bay Area; I’m comfortable here; and people say what they say, but I think at the end of the day when you look at the franchise, they want to win. They’ve won before, [and] they know how to do it.”

“They have great players, [and] great coaches. So, I don’t see why people wouldn’t want to come here,” Chapman added. “I know that a lot of people have reached out and said they want to come play here and told me that, so I think if that’s [the] narrative, it’s going to change.”

Other Notes:

Giants Play-by-Play Announcer Duane Kuiper praised Manager Bob Melvin’s old-school approach on “Giants Talk” with NBC Sports Bay Area Giants Beat Writer Alex Pavlovic, and Cole Kuiper. He mentioned the departure from the way Gabe Kapler managed the team the last four seasons.

Kuiper also noted the fact that the Giants are taking infield drills every day. It is a drill that Melvin has long employed, as well one Bruce Bochy used when managed the Giants from 2007 to 2019.