Utes roll past Cardinal 90-68

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The Stanford Cardinal guard Michael Jones (13) takes a jump shot against the Utah Utes at John M Huntsman Arena in Salt Lake City on Thu Feb 29, 2024 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Embarking on its final Pac-12 men’s basketball road trip, Stanford traveled to Salt Lake City and dropped a 90-68 decision to Utah Thursday.

It was the fifth consecutive loss for Stanford.

Cole Bajema hit five 3-pointers en route to a game-high 21 points. Gabe Madsen was next for the Utes with 15 points, and Delvon Smith had 13 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds. The Utes outrebounded Stanford 40-29, and Utah never trailed in the game.

Michael Jones led the Cardinal with 20 points, including three 3-pointers Andrej Stojakovic scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds, and Kanaan Carlyle and Maxime Reynaud added 10 points apiece for Stanford (12-16 overall, 7-11 Pac-12).

Field goal shooting The was a mixed bag for Stanford. The Cardinal made 49.1 percent of its total shots, but only 4-of-15 from 3-point range.

The Utes (17-11 overall, 8-9 Pac-12) opened the game with a 15-4 run, but Stanford recovered to make a 12-7 run to pull within 22-16. Reynaud scored twice during that run and Max Murrell scored his first points after missing nine games due to injury.

Utah led 46-27 at halftime. Though the Cardinal’s shooting improved to 58.6 percent (17 of 29) in the second half, they were unable to cut the Utes lead any less than 14 points. Jones scored 10 of his points in the second half, while the Cardinal tallied 23 of its 41 second-half points in the paint.

Josue Gil-Silva scored his first career points for Stanford in the closing seconds.

Stanford’s next stop is Boulder, Colo, on Sunday, when the Cardinal visit the Colorado Buffaloes for a 6 p.m. contest.

Warriors lead wire-to-wire beat New York Knicks 110-99

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) led with 31 points against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York Thu Feb 29, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors were in the Big Apple Thursday night to face the New York Knickerbockers. Both teams were without key players. Andrew Wiggins of the Warriors was unavailable for Thursday’s game due to “personal matters.”

As he did last year, the Warriors’ head coach has yet to determine when Wiggins will return. The Knicks Justin Randle and OG Anunoby could not play as they are recovering from injuries. The Knicks, without the two stars, are 4-6 over the last ten games. The Warriors inserted Moses Moody into the lineup in place of Wiggins.

The Knicks, under coach Tom Thibodeau, are an excellent rebounding team and rank in the top five defensive squads in the NBA. The Warriors were 20th in defense without Draymond Green. Since Green’s return, the Warriors are among the top five defensive teams in the NBA.

The Warriors have won 11 of the last 14 games. Veteran point guard Chris Paul will be playing his second game since returning from a broken hand. The Warriors led wire-to-wire to win, 110-99.

The Warriors went on a 14-0 run to start the game. Stephen Curry and Jonathan Kuninga were the players that got the offense going in the first quarter. Curry knocked down three threes, and Kuninga had the other five points to give the Warriors the early 14-0 advantage.

The Knicks woke from their slumber and started putting points on the board. The Warriors offense cooled down, but the Warriors still finished the first quarter leading 31-19. Curry tallied 11 points and had seven rebounds in the period.

The seven rebounds tied a career-high for rebounds in any quarter. New York got their offense going and won the second quarter 27-24. Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson, and former Warriors Donte DiVincenzo paced the Knicks’ attack. The Warriors finished the first half leading 55-46. Curry had a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. 

The Knicks knew they had to outscore the Warriors in the third quarter. They tried hard, but the Warriors refused to bend. The Warriors got help from Green, who did not score a point in the first half, Klay Thompson, and Jonathan Kuminga. The Warriors outscored the Knicks by one point, 25-24, and increased the lead to ten, 80-70, at the end of the third quarter.

The Knicks knew a ten-point deficit starting the fourth quarter could be overcome. The Knicks were hoping to go on a run and close the gap. The Warriors have blown several leads in the fourth quarter this season. The Knicks’ defense had to stop the Warriors.

The Warriors had to ensure they did not blow another fourth-quarter lead. The Knicks went on a 13-2 run to trail by four, 89-85. Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski made a bucket to up the lead to 94-85. Curry hit his seventh three of the night to give the Warriors a ten-point advantage, 100-90. Curry made another three to 103-92. The Warriors had time on their side. The Knicks could not catch the Warriors. The Warriors won the game 110-99. 

Game Notes: The Warriors are now 31-27 with the win. They are 12-3 in their last 15 games. They have won the first two games of the four-game road trip. The Knicks fall to 35-25. The Knicks have lost seven of the last 11 games.

Curry loves playing in New York. Curry’s numbers were 31 points, 11 rebounds, and made eight threes. Curry has had 82 games with eight or more threes in his career. No other player comes close to Curry’s record.

Curry was +20 on the court. Jonathan Kuminga added 25 points. Green finished with seven points, ten boards, and six assists. Green was +19. Thompson, coming off the bench, knocked down 16. Chris Paul had 11. The Warriors had 58 points in the paint.

The Warrior’s defense held the Knicks to 36.9% from the floor. The Warriors committed 11 turnovers. 

Jalen Brunson led New York with 27, DiVincenzo had 16, and Josh Hart 16. Miles McBride added 14, and Jericho Sims added 10.

The Warriors flew to Toronto immediately after the game. The Warriors will play the Raptors on Friday night. The Raptors blew out the Warriors at the Chase Center earlier in the season. The Warriors want to get the win Friday night to even the season’s series. The game will start at 4:30 pm.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Players make it known they prefer Melvin over Kapler

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San Francisco Giants players have voiced their preference for manager Bob Melvin the way he runs the club over former Giants manager Gabe Kapler (photo from mlb.com)

On The SF Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 How happy are the players that former manager Gabe Kapler is gone in favor of first year manager Bob Melvin?

#2 The players seem to be happy with Melvin’s new structure of playing. One of the new rules of Melvin’s that every single person from coaches, players, equipment managers, bat boys, are required to be on the field for the national anthem hats off and lined up before each game.

#3 Melvin said it’s all about the perception that your ready to play saying even if your not playing your engaged. Melvin had similar housekeeping rules when he was with the Oakland Athletics. Although his A’s teams didn’t win too often they respected him enough to be a competitive team and he’s hoping likewise this season in San Francisco.

#4 It was noted that for the national anthem Kapler was in the clubhouse or not on the field and the players were not in front of the dugout. The point that some of the veteran players pointed out was discipline was lacking under Kapler while under Melvin he’s being detailed oriented and wants discipline.

#5 What’s the difference do you see for Melvin who managed the Padres last season and coming over to the Giants and managing this season?

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

Losing streak extends to five for Barracuda as they fall to Firebirds 4-1

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Photo courtesy of San Jose Barracuda.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

Looking to rebound after a tough loss against the Reign the Barracuda took on the Coachella Valley Firebirds on the road.

San Jose’s goaltending depth is going to be stretched a little thin with Mackenzie Blackwood being placed on the IR. Due to this Magnus Chrona was called up to the Sharks and Beck Warm was called up to the Barracuda.

Despite the call up Georgi Romanov made the start tonight heading into this one with a 6-7-5 record and a 3.50 GAA and .866 SV%. For the Firebirds it was Chris Driedger in between the pipes who had a 14-6-4 record with a 2.31 GAA and .917 SV%.

This game ended up being dominated by special teams as out of the five goals scored tonight three were on the power play.

The first special teams goal in this one was scored by the Firebirds on the as Kole Lind deposited his 11th of the season.

Of course for the Barracuda in the second period their power play would not be scoring goals rather they were getting scored on. San Jose gave up back-to-back shorthanded goals less than three minutes apart as Ryan Winterton and Cameron Hughes capitalized on their sloppy play.

There was a glimmer of hope for San Jose in the third as just 25 seconds in Scott Sabourin scored his 14th of the season making it a 3-1 game.

That hope would be squashed as Hughes got his second of the night less than five minutes later.

If there was any positive for the Barracuda they did get take two penalties and were able to kill off both.

The goal by Hughes did end up sealing the deal as San Jose now falls to 17-28-8 with the 4-1 loss. The Firebirds continue their domination as they improve to 32-13-5.

The shots in this one favored Coachella Valley 39-30, as San Jose went 0/2 on the power play while the Firebirds finished 1/4.

The three stars of the game were: 1st: Cameron Hughes 2nd: Ryan Winterton 3rd: Chris Driedger

San Jose will have to face these same Firebirds once again this time at home on Saturday at 6 p.m.

Cal Bears game wrap: Bears put up fight but fall in Colorado to guarantee losing season 88-78

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Cal Bears in huddle against the Colorado Buffaloes at CU Events Center in Boulder CO on Wed Feb 28, 2024 (photo by Cal Bears Athletic Dept)

Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024

CU Events Center, Boulder, Colorado

California Golden Bears 78 (13-16 Overall; 9-9 Pac-12)

Colorado Buffaloes 88 (19-9 Overall; 10-7 Pac-12)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Bears put up a fight, but ultimately fell to the Colorado Buffaloes, 88-78, to start off the final road trip of the season.

The Bears kicked off the three-game road trip after another comeback win in their final home game against the Oregon Ducks on Saturday. There was a lot at stake for the Bears, as a perfect road trip would clinch them a winning season just a year after going 3-29.

Eddie Lampkin slammed one down for Colorado to start the scoring, and Jalen Celestine put the Bears on the board with a three-ball. Celestine sank another three to make it 6-2.

The Bears were off to a fast start, but Tristan da Silva laid one in after getting fouled, and hit his free throw to make 6-5. KJ Simpson hit a three to put the Buffaloes back ahead, 8-6, and Eddie Lampkin laid one in to make it 10-6.

Celestine hit another three to make it 10-9, but the Buffaloes scored six unanswered runs to open up a 16-9 lead.

Rodney Brown Jr. hit a three to make it 16-12, and that started a 7-2 run that saw the Bears close the deficit to 18-16. During that run, Grant Newell was fouled and hit one of two from the line, and Brown hit another three.

From there, the Buffaloes took complete control, and went on a 15-3 run to open a 33-19 lead. That lead held for the rest of the first half, as Colorado went into the half up 45-31.

The Bears started the second half down double digits, which to them meant it was time for another comeback. Cal indeed began to slowly chip away, and Newell hit a three with 14:13 remaining to close the deficit to seven at 56-49.

Jaylon Tyson hit a three with 12:56 remaining to make it 58-53, and the Bears were indeed set to make another comeback. The teams traded points over the several minutes, as Tylon laid one in to make it 65-59 with 9:18 to go.

Simpson was fouled and hit two from the line, and Javon Ruffin hit a three, as Colorado was back up by 11 at 70-59. The Bears kept pace, but were not able to get within less than nine points.

However, Simpson was once again fouled and hit both shots from the line, and he laid one in as well to put Colorado up 83-68 with 4:41 to go. By then, it was too late for Cal to pull off another comeback, and the Buffaloes won it, 88-78.

With this loss, the Bears are guaranteed their seventh-straight losing season, as they fall to 13-16 on the season. This is also a major blow to Cal’s March Madness hopes. However, they still can end Pac-12 play with a winning record, as they are now 9-9 in conference play.

On the positive side for the Bears, Jaylon Tyson scored 25 points in another big game.

Now with two games remaining, the Bears will head to Salt Lake City, where they will take on the Utah Utes at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Kings Get Blown Out By Denver 117-96

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The Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) looks for someone to pass to against the Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) in the first half at Ball Arena in Denver on Wed Feb 28, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (33-25) came out on fire as they took on the defending champion Denver Nuggets (40-19). After the first quarter they led 35-28. They took a fifteen point lead in the second quarter and then it all fell apart. The Nuggets blew them out of the arena winning 117-96.

The opening quarter was a perfect first 12 minutes of play for the Kings. They had seven triples in the opening quarter and were doing a great job on the offensive glass. The Kings were faced with a huge loss, having to play without De’Aaron Fox missing the game with a left knee contusion.

Domantas Sabonis had the unenviable task of containing Nikola Jokic and was doing a solid job. The Kings led 35-28 after one quarter.

The Kings took as much as a 15 point lead in the second quarter but the Nuggets went on a 12-0 run to pull to within three points 49-46 with 4:57 left in the half. The team was playing against all odds battling Denver without Fox as well as playing on the road.

They needed to go on a run before the half. With 3:15 left in the half, the Nuggets took a four point lead 55-51 and Denver had a real reversal of fortune. Momentum had shifted in this game and the Kings would have to fight to get it back.

After the great start, the Kings began to miss a lot of shots from downtown and the Nuggets led 65-55 at halftime. Denver won the second quarter in a huge turnaround 37-20.

The slow start that Denver had had accelerated in the second quarter as momentum shifted in their favor. Jokic was eyeing another triple double. In the first half he had 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 10 points.

Jamal Murray had 18 points the high for the half and Aaron Gordon had 13. Keegan Murray had 15 points for Sacramento and Malik Monk had 11 points off the bench. After hitting seven triples in the first quarter, the Kings came up empty in the second quarter. They had a lot of work to do in the second half.

Eight minutes into the third quarter the Nuggets took their largest lead of the game 75-57. The Nuggets were on a 43-10 run since 8:08 in the second quarter as the Kings went ice cold.

The ugliness continued as the Kings fell further and further behind trailing 85-62 with 4:50 left in the quarter. Sacramento couldn’t buy a bucket looking at a 72-100 deficit after three quarters. Keegan Murray did not score at all in the third quarter.

The Kings put out a nice effort in the fourth quarter despite being faced with the certainty of a loss. Sacramento wanted to finish this game on a bit of a strong note. Denver’s Jokic did achieve another triple double, his fourth straight, in the quarter.

The Kings did cut into the Nuggets lead but it was close to a done deal going into the final quarter. Chris Duarte had a great effort off the bench with 16 points. Sabonis had his 41st consecutive double double.

The high for the Kings was Murray with 21 points and off the bench Duarte finished with 18. Sacramento did cut the 31 point Nugget lead to 21 points in the losing effort.

Game notes: The Kings came into the second leg of this season with a nice win over the Los Angeles Clippers 123-107 on Sunday and the Spurs 127-122 on Thursday but it has cooled since then. They lost on Monday to the Miami Heat 121-110 on Monday after erasing a 19 point deficit in the fourth quarter.

They needed this win because their schedule gets even tougher this week after defeating the Nuggets in their previous to meetings. They faced a daunting task Wednesday night taking on the defending champion Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver. They have played well on the road and they went all out against the Nuggets. It doesn’t get any easier for Sacramento playing the Minnesota Timberwolves this Friday in Minnesota. The Kings will be heavily tested this week.

After this blow-out the Kings are faced with another giant in the Minnesota Timberwolves this Friday night in another road game at Target Center. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 5:00 PM. as the Kings try to bounce back from this loss.

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Preds GM Trotz says they want to hang onto Carrier; Rangers end 10 game win streak; plus more news

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The Nashville Predators defenseman Alexander Carrier (45) will most likely stay with the Predators. The Predators are trying to get him to sign a new contract before he becomes a free agent at the end of the season. (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz said that defenseman Alexander Carrier will stay and defenseman Tyson Barrie might be on the trade bubble. Goaltender Jusse Saros has a deal with the Predators through next season. Teams are seeking Carrier’s services but the Predators are trying to sign him as his contract runs out after this season. Trotz said Barrie is a player any team in the NHL would interested in.

#2 The Columbus Blue Jackets ended the New York Rangers hot ten game win streak Sunday at Nationwide Arena 4-2. The loss stops the Rangers from tying their all time win streak record at 11.

#3 Len, even though the Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid has not scored a goal in his last ten games he has scored at least a point in his last eight games. So there’s really no way to keep McDavid down.

#4 Len, have to ask you about the Winnipeg Jets their attendance is down a quarter and their not getting the expected 90% line expectation for NHL crowds. The Jets are one of the winningest teams in the NHL, they have a shot at the Stanley Cup, they have speed which buries their opponents, they have the league’s best goalie and they can score yet no one is coming

#5 Len the San Jose Sharks absolutely got clobbered on Wednesday night at SAP Center in San Jose 7-2 by the New Jersey Devils. The Sharks lost their goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood after playing some good hockey in the first 17 minutes to an injury. Backup Kappo Kahkonen came in late in the first period for Blackwood, he surrendered three in the second period and four in the third period.

Len Shapiro does the NHL podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Manfred is certain Vegas deal for A’s is a sure thing

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Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred addresses the news media at spring training Tampa Bay Fl Thu Feb 15, 2024 at the Grapefruit League (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

#1 Major League Commissioner Rob Manfred said that if there was any doubt about the Oakland A’s going to Las Vegas Manfred wanted to assure everybody that the move is “solid” in spite of A’s owner John Fisher who has not come up with his share of the construction costs for his share of the Las Vegas ballpark.

#2 Manfred also wants the A’s to decide where there going to play in the interim for 2025-27. Manfred would like the A’s to decide to play in one location and not move say from Portland to Salt Lake City or even Oracle Park in San Francisco for example.

#3 As you may recall A’s president David Kaval said talks with the Oakland Coliseum will continue as it was reported their first meeting two weeks ago went well. Manfred who doesn’t have the best relationship with Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao might have to come back and have talks with Thao and work out something to get the A’s some place to play for the next three seasons after 2024.

#4 The Las Vegas stadium idea has run into it’s share of problems, there are no renderings, there is no funding plan from Fisher, Schools over Stadiums is appealing language for their petition drive in the Nevada Court of Appeals once up and running they need over 100,000 signatures to place an initiative on the November ballot to block the A’s public funding for the ballpark and the Nevada State Education Association has filed a $380 million lawsuit against the State of Nevada to block public funding of the park.

#5 After Fisher got a luke warm reception when he was introduced to a paid crowd in Las Vegas sponsored by the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman said that the A’s would be better off in Oakland with a waterfront ballpark. Manfred said Las Vegas is solid and that Goodman was the first person to talk Manfred about getting a baseball team in Vegas.

Join Jerry for the Oakland A’s podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Warriors win sixth straight against Wizards 123-113

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Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) drives on the Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) in the first half at Capital One Center in Washington DC on Tue Feb 27, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 David, is the team your seeing now the real Golden State Warriors (30-27) they have now won six straight games and are the cusp of moving into eight place after their win against the Washington Wizards (9-49) 123-113 on Tuesday night in Washington.

#2 That coming off the bench thing is working for Klay Thompson he once again led the Warriors in scoring with 25 points.

#3 Thursday night the Warriors are at Madison Square Garden to tip off with the New York Knicks. The Knicks have lost seven of their last ten games and are in fourth in the Eastern Conference. How do you see this match up on Thursday night a 4:30pm PT start.

Join David for the Warriors podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Diego State Beats San Jose State 72-64 Thanks To Jaedon Ledee With A Double-Double

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San Jose State Spartans forward Trey Anderson (15) and the Spartans took a tough loss to the San Diego Aztecs in San Diego on Tue Feb 27, 2024 (San Jose State Spartans photo)

Tuesday, February 27th, 2024

By Troy Ewers

The San Jose State Spartans are in San DIego facing the San Diego State Aztecs.  Myron (MJ) Amey Jr., Latrell Davis and Alvaro Cardenas each scored more than 10 points to lead the Spartans (9-19, 2-13 Mountain West) in an 84-63 loss to Nevada (22-6, 9-5 Mountain West) on Friday night.

When the Spartans played San Diego State on Jan. 9, they were down two with a chance to tie the game with three seconds left but Trey Anderson’s layup attempt was blocked by Jay Pal. The Spartans lost the contest by only three, 81-78, against the Aztecs who were ranked 19th in the nation. 

The first half was a back and forth game, but both teams shot under 40% from the field for the majority of the half. At the end of the half it was a low scoring performance where SDSU led 29-22. 

A more eventful second half for the Spartans as the Aztecs held the lead the whole way, but SJSU was able to close the gap at a point in the game. MJ Amey Jr. put up a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, but compared to Jaedon Ledee came through with 27 points and 11 rebounds to defeat the Spartans 72-64.

Alvaro Cardenas who leads the conference in assists only had 2 assists this game and the Spartans only shot two free throws all game (they went 50%). 

The next game for the Spartans is in Las Vegas against UNLV on Saturday, March 2nd. With only 2 games in the season left, it seems like the Spartans season may be over, but they proved tonight this team won’t quit.