Despite Struggles Golden State Beats Detroit Pistons 113-109; Paul fractures left hand will need surgery next week

Golden State Warrior guard Chris Paul will need surgery on his left hand after fracturing it against the Detroit Pistons on Fri Jan 5, 2024 at Chase Center in San Francisco (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Detroit Pistons (3-32) put quite a fight but Golden State (17-18) met the challenge and came away with the win 113-109. The Warriors handed the Pistons their 32nd loss of the season.

Game recap: The first quarter was a close one with the Warriors leading after the first twelve minutes 22-20. The turnovers were mounting for Golden State and through 1 1/2 quarters they already had nine. Through the same 1 1/2 quarters Warriors guard Stephen Curry had not scored a single point getting another very slow start. 

At 4:35 in the second quarter, Curry scored three free throws and at 3:26 scored his first basket of the game followed by a three point jumper. A Curry flurry was exactly what the Warriors needed as the first half began to wind down. The Warriors led at the half 50-46 after having led by nine points in the second quarter. The Pistons were not backing down refusing to go away.

The turnovers for Golden State were a problem in the first half with 12. Detroit was protecting the ball very well with only five turnovers which accounted for some of the success they were having in this game.

At halftime, bench player Dario Saric , had the high score with 12 points and starter Jonathan Kuminga had 11 points. The team would be looking for some production in the second half from not only Curry but also from Klay Thompson. The good news for Golden State was the late half action from Curry.

As the third quarter came to an end, the Pistons were making a move pulling to within four points. After three quarters the Warriors were clinging to a four point lead 79-75. 

In the final seconds of the third quarter, Detroit had pulled to within one point proving to be a very real threat. There were five more turnovers for the Warriors in the quarter now with a total of 17 through three quarters.

The Pistons continued to hang around and with 3:45 left in the game, the Warriors were hanging on by a single point 95-94. With 1:56 left in the game it was all tied up at 100. With 1:32 left in the game the Pistons took their first lead of the half 103-102. 

Curry finished off this game with a couple of free throws and a 28-foot jump shot followed by a second 28-foot shot. The final was 113-109 and the Warriors were lucky to get this win. Detroit put up quite a fight pushing Golden State to their limit.

Both the third and fourth quarters of this game finished in a tie. The Pistons pulled out all the stops but the Warriors proved to be just a little too much. Curry had the high for the team with 26 points and Thompson finished with 19.

 It was not the Warriors finest offensive nor defensive effort. They have been struggling on defense and it really showed in this game. They had 19 turnovers just when it seemed that they were turning it around.

Post game notes: Friday night the Warriors took on the Pistons after losing a heart-breaker last night against the Denver Nuggets who pulled off a Nikola Jokic buzzer beater 130-127 for the win. Jokic hit a 39-foot three pointer with 0.1 left on the game clock. With 4.1 seconds on the clock, Curry turned the ball over making this loss an especially tough pill to swallow. 

The Pistons who are having a miserable season. At one point they had lost 28 straight games for the longest losing streak in NBA history. That streak ended last Saturday at Little Caesar’s Arena in Detroit with a narrow 129-127 victory.

Warriors guard Chris Paul fractured his left hand Friday night against the Pistons and will need surgery sometime next week. Warrior head coach Steve Kerr made the announcement right after the game. Paul went 23 minutes scoring eight points, six rebounds and had four assists before having to leave with the fracture.

Sunday evening the Warriors continue their home stand taking on the Toronto Raptors. They will be looking for a better offensive and defensive effort and then there are those pesky turnovers to deal with.

The Warriors have a lot to clean up. Toronto comes to Golden State after losing to the Sacramento Kings Friday night 135-130. The Kings had a 20 point lead in the third quarter of the game and Toronto came roaring back. Golden State has a lot to address; they cannot afford another game like Friday night’s. Tipoff for the game Sunday is scheduled for 5:30 PM. 

 

   

Despite heroic first half performance by Myron Amey Jr. SJSU falls to Boise State 78-69

Photo courtesy of San Jose State Spartans. Latrell Davis dribbles up the court.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- The Spartans welcomed Boise State to Provident Credit Union Event Center for a Mountain West clash.

Heading into this one San Jose State was coming off a loss against Wyoming in heartbreaking fashion. While on the other hand the Broncos had won their previous game against Utah Valley 85-63.

If the first half had a headline it would have to include Myron Amey Jr. who simply could not be stopped.

Accounting for more than half of SJSU’s 40 points Amey dropped a truly remarkable 25. With most of them coming from beyond the arch as he went 5-7 from three.

Despite the fantastic performance Amey wasn’t getting much help as the next closest scorer was Trey Anderson with six.

On the other side of the floor O’Mar Stanley was cooking in the paint with 15 points and five rebounds.

Heading into the second half with a five point lead it felt like SJSU was poised to pull off the upset.

Unfortunately for the blue-and-white though Amey went cold and the offense continued it’s poor first half play.

In comparison to the first Amey only had five points while Alvaro Cardenas lead the way with nine in the second half.

The Broncos went the opposite of cold as Stanley continued his stellar play with 15 points in the second half while Tyson Degenhart joined in contributing 17 as well.

What really put the game away was an 8-0 run by Boise State that sealed the deal and sucked all the life out of the stadium.

A frustrated Tim Miles slammed his clipboard against the hardwood floor at the 3:57 mark during a timeout but by then it was too late. The broncos took the lead on that same play making it 67-65 and they never looked back.

It was another game were SJSU lead most of the game but couldn’t hold on dropping their record to 7-8 and 0-2 in conference. Boise State with this win improves to a stellar 10-4 and are now 1-0 in conference.

“I mean at the end of the day we’re playing division one college basketball so I mean teams are gonna adjust and do whatever they can we can’t let that happen turnovers are a big part of the game,” Myron Amey Jr. said after the game.

San Jose State is now in desperate need of a win but their next opponent will not be easy as they will have to battle San Diego State. That game will be on Tuesday at home at 8 p.m.

Reign use special teams to beat Barracuda in 2-0 shutout win

Ontario Reign forward Andre Lee (#26) crashes the crease in a sea of San Jose Barracuda players including goalie Eetu Makiniemi (#32) in the second period at Toyota Arena on Friday JAN 5, 2024. (Ontario Reign)

by Marko Ukalovic

The Ontario Reign scored two special teams’ goals in the second period to upend the San Jose Barracuda in a 2-0 shutout victory on Friday evening at Toyota Arena.

San Jose has lost three out of its last five games. Ontario has won two of its last three games is undefeated against the Barracuda in three games this season.

Ontario had the ice tilted in their favor in the scoreless first period as they outshot San Jose 11-6 in the opening frame. The Reign had the only power play opportunity but failed to capitalize on it.

The Reign (17-10-3-1) drew first blood late in the second period with a power play goal. TJ Tynan’s attempted pass was knocked out of the air by Shakir Mukhamadullin. The puck pinballed around in front of the net before Akil Thomas poked home the puck for his ninth goal of the season at the 13:19 mark.

Ontario doubled its lead with a short-handed goal late in the middle frame. Thomas battled Tristen Robins for a loose puck in the neutral zone. Taylor Ward, who trailed the play, picked up the puck and skated in a breakaway before depositing the puck past ‘Cuda goalie Eetu Makiniemi for his third goal of the season with 19 seconds remaining.

Ward’s goal snapped a five-game goal-less draught.

San Jose (11-15-4-0) weren’t able to generate any offense despite having three power play opportunities throughout the contest. The ‘Cuda pulled Makiniemi for an extra attacker with 2:37 remaining in the game to no avail as Ontario held down the fort in the final two and a half minutes.

Reign goalie Erik Portillo (9-4-1-1) stopped all 25 shots he faced to earn his second shutout of the season to snap a four-game winless streak. Makiniemi (4-4-0-1) made 25 saves on 27 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-3 on the power play. Ontario was 1-for-4.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Porillo 2) Thomas 3) Ward.

UP NEXT: San Jose and Ontario conclude their two-games series on Saturday 1/6 at 6:00pm at Toyota Arena.

Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: Fisher may not have the money for stadium; Sources say he’s been talking to other casino owners to chip in for the $1.1 billion cost

Does Oakland A’s owner John Fisher have the $1.1 billion to pay for Vegas/Tropicana ballpark in Las Vegas? (photo by Athletics Nation)

On the A’s podcast with Daniel:

#1 Maybe it’s a good thing that Oakland A’s owner John Fisher doesn’t have to pay a relocation fee because he’s having a hard enough time trying to find $1.1 billion to pay for his share of the building construction for the Tropicana ballpark. So far word is he has not plopped down the $1.1 billion and that he just very well may not have the money.

#2 There was talk that he was going to ask Goldman Sachs for the loan to cover the cost of paying for the construction share but after learning what the interest rates for the loan that bit of news got really quite.

#3 The A’s and the Tropicana were supposed to present the renderings for the new ballpark but that was called off earlier in December after two Nevada Deputies were killed and a renderings announcement would be rescheduled. Then it was expected maybe mid December but here we are in the first week of January and the only thing we’ve heard is the renderings are supposed to take place next week.

#4 Sources say that the A’s and the Tropicana have been showing renderings to other Casino owners and from those sources no casino operator has been willing to put in his share towards the stadium financing. If this is the case Fisher clearly doesn’t have the money and is going with hat in hand up and down the strip.

#5 Schools over Stadiums who might be the last hope to stop public financing for a new ballpark on the strip has come out with their campaign push on their X page stating reasons why funding the Tropicana ballpark with public money over education is a bad idea. Schools over Stadiums is looking for voter support in the event they can get an initiative on the ballot that would stop public funding of an A’s Las Vegas Park. Whatever the outcome for Schools over Stadiums the fight is on.

Join Daniel Dullum for the Oakland A’s Relocation podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings host 12th place Raptors tonight at Golden 1

The Orlando Magic forward Pablo Banchero (5) tries to defend against a Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) shot during the first quarter at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Wed Jan 3, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah. the Orlando Magic were shorthanded but the Sacramento Kings were still able to persevere and win out in double overtime on Wednesday night at Golden 1 Center 138-135.

#2 The Kings got help from Domantas Sabonis who chalked up another triple double, 22 points, 23 rebounds and 12 assists.

#3 Malik Monk went all out with 37 points and he did it off the bench for the Kings. The 37 points for Monk made him the team leading scorer for the evening. Making every basket that Monk could spare valuable as the Kings did whatever they could to win this one.

#4 The Magic’s power forward Pablo Banchero was just outstanding and difficult to defend finishing with game leading 43 points. For the Magic he was the key that kept them in this game forcing double overtime.

#5 The Kings came away with the win on Wednesday night and now host the Toronto Raptors who occupy 12th place in the Western Conference. The Raptors have won four of their last ten games and have won two games in a row coming into Sacramento on Friday night for a 7:00pm PT tip.

Jeremiah does the Sacramento Kings podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes: McCaffrey to rest calf will not play this Sunday vs. Rams; Mitchell to get some reps Sunday

San Francisco 49errs running back Christian McCaffrey (23) seen here looking for some daylight against safety Kamren Curl (31) of the Washington Commanders at FedEx Field in North Englewood MD on Sun Dec 31, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes:

#1 Joe as someone wrote that the flight home from Washington didn’t suck after the San Francisco 49ers picked up a win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday at FedEx Field after that tough loss a week earlier to the Baltimore Ravens.

#2 The starters will rest this Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. Running back Christian McCaffey says he’s glad for the two week break for himself and all the starters before the post season starts in mid January.

#3 McCaffrey also said that his calf injury is pretty minor but head coach Kyle Shanahan said that is one of the reasons why McCaffrey will not play against the Rams this Sunday to get those two weeks rest and not to make the calf much worse.

#4 The 49ers Elijah Mitchell is healthy according to Shanahan. Mitchell has played in 15 of 33 games in the past two years and set the 49ers record for rushing with 963 yards back in 2021. Mitchell has missed the last three games and Shanahan said that when Mitchell is in the line up he’s as good as anybody. Also Shanahan said when McCaffrey was down Mitchell came in and took over against Washington.

#5 The 49ers host the Los Angeles Rams this Sun Jan 7th at Levi Stadium are on a run they’ve won their last three games. They’re last win coming against the New York Giants in an nail biter 26-25 at the Meadowlands. The Rams like the 49ers plan to rest their starters. How do you see this match up on Sunday?

Joe Hawkes does the 49ers podcasts weekly at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Nuggets come back to beat Warriors with Jokic buzzer beater in devastating loss 130-127

The Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokioc (15) hits a three point game winning shot over the Golden State Warriors Kevon Looney (5) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Thu Jan 4, 2024 (AP News photo)

Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024

Chase Center, San Francisco, California

Denver Nuggets 130 (25-11)

Golden State Warriors 127 (16-18)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Denver Nuggets came back late to beat the Warriors on a buzzer beater by Nikola Jokic, who led the way with 34 points, as Golden State fell, 130-127, to suffer their fourth loss in their last five games.

The Warriors snapped their three-game losing streak with a win over the Orlando Magic in San Francisco on Tuesday night, and they were looking to build off of that tonight. The Nuggets, meanwhile, had come in winning 10 of their last 12 games. It was a rematch of a neck-and-neck matchup between the two teams on Christmas in Denver that saw the Nuggets beat the Warriors, 120-114.

The Warriors got off to a quick start in Thursday night’s match, as they won the opening tip, and got on the board on a dunk by Jonathan Kuminga. The Nuggets quickly responded with a jumper by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to get on the board, but the Warriors pounced, and eventually opened up a 21-11 lead just under five minutes into the game.

The Warriors led it 27-18 with 5:33 to go in the first quarter, but Jokic made a pair of layups to cut the score to cut the Warriors’ lead to 27-22, and that was the start of 16-6 run for the Nuggets, which took them to a 34-33 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Nuggets kept that momentum into the second quarter, as they held a small lead over the first four minutes. Klay Thompson hit a three-ball to put the Warriors back ahead at 44-42, but the Nuggets responded with a three by Michael Porter Jr., as the teams seesawed their way through the next several minutes. The Nuggets then pulled away a bit, and went into the half with a 70-63 lead.

Jokic started the third quarter with a three-ball to extend Denver’s lead to 73-63, but the Warriors slowly chipped away at that lead, as they tied it at 84-84 with six minutes to go in the third quarter, as Kuminga hit a jumper, and hit the free throw after being fouled on the play.

The Nuggets quickly retook the lead on a pair of free throws by Jokic, but the Warriors continued their onslaught, as they outscored the Nuggets in the third quarter, 44-24, to go into the fourth quarter up 107-94.

Andrew Wiggins hit a three to start the fourth, and put Golden State up 110-94. The Warriors would maintain that steady lead throughout the first half of the fourth quarter, as they led it 123-105 with just 6:51 remaining, following a jumper by Wiggins.

However, the Nuggets suddenly started coming back. Jokic hit a hook shot, and Gordan hit a pair of free throws, as well as a three ball to cut the deficit to 123-112 with 5:14 to go. Gordon then tipped one, and made a pair of free throws, followed by a pair of free throws by Jokic to suddenly make it 123-118 with 3:23 to go.

Stephen Curry was fouled, and made two from the line to give the Warriors a brief reprieve, as they extended their lead to 125-118. Gordon then hit another pair of free throws for the Nuggets, and the Golden State responded with a layup by Trayce Jackson-Davis.

Peyton Watson hit a three Jokic alley-ooped to Gordan, who dunked it, and the Nuggets had remarkably made it just a two-point game at 127-125 with just 1:08 remaining. Jokic then hit a jumper to tie it with 26 seconds to go.

Curry had the ball for the Warriors, and he slow-walked it, as he wanted to run the clock down to prevent the Nuggets from winning it in regulation. However, a pass from Curry was stolen by Jamal Murray with four seconds remaining. 

Timeout was called, and then when the ball was passed in to Jokic, he shot one from almost halfcourt that he certainly didn’t expect to go in, but it hit off the backboard and in to deal the Warriors a devastating 130-127 loss right at the buzzer.

Jokic was mobbed by his teammates, as well as his head coach, Michael Malone. The camera then panned to Stephen Curry, who chewed away at his mouthguard in utter astonishment. Curry scored 30 points tonight, and even with that performance the Warriors still could not hold on.

The Warriors have now lost four of their last five, as they fall to 16-18, and they have also fallen a half-game back of the Los Angeles Lakers for the 10th seed in the Western Conference.

Golden State will be right back at it Friday night, as they will welcome the Detroit Pistons to Chase Center for a 7 p.m. tip.

Winnipeg Jets Come To San Jose And Slip Past Sharks 2-1; Sharks 10th straight loss ties club record

The Winnipeg Jets center Gabriel Vilardi (top) celebrates with left wing Alex Iafallo (9) and center Mark Scheifele (55) who scored against the San Jose Sharks goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood (29) in the third period at SAP Center in SanJose (AP News photo)

Thursday, January 4th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

San Jose, CA – The San Jose Sharks host the Winnipeg Jets for another regular season, following a 5-3 to Detroit here in the SAP Center on Tuesday. Alexander Barabanov recorded his 100th career goal, but it wasn’t enough to stop a third period rally from the Red Wings.

Earlier today, San Jose’s Tomas Hertl was named an NHL All Star to represent the Sharks and as for the Jets, Winnipeg remained undefeated to start 2024 and San Jose seems like a likely place to keep that fire burning as the Jets edged the Sharks at SAP Center 2-1.

It was a quiet first period for both teams, with the highlight being Mackenzie Blackwood who got 11 saves and held his composure when the heat came. Winnipeg and San Jose went hit for hit with an evenly physical period, but it was a clean period with no penalties. 0-0 at the first intermission and energy high throughtout the SAP Center. 

The silence was broken in the second period and it came seconds after the Jets killed a hooking penalty. Barabanov scored off a wrist shot, assisted by William Eklund and Ty Emberson and the Sharks were up 1-0 and Barabanov recorded his 100th goal with the Sharks, a game after he scored his 100th career goal.

A minute later the Jets answered back. Neal Pionk shot the puck towards a screened Blackwood and the puck was deflected by Morgan Barron in the net, 1-1. As the period ended, the score was tied and momentum could sway either way. 

The third period was a battle, but this battle had an early game changing moment. San Jose’s Filip Zadina got a hooking penalty and that penalty broke the tie for Winnipeg. Gabriel Vilardi tipped in a pass from Nikolaj Ehlers past Blackwood and two minutes into the final period, the Jets were up 2-1. The Sharks gained some opportunities along the way, but to no success as the Jets skated off the ice with a 2-1 victory. 

The Sharks now start off 2024 0-2 and now have fallen even further behind in the standings as this season progresses with another loss. Coach Quinn has a lot on his plate as the season now prepares for the trade deadline and the next game for the Sharks is Sat January 6th against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the SAP Center a 4:00pm PT face off.

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Hischier leads New Jersey to convincing win over Capitals; Yotes Zucker gets 3 game suspension for boarding major; plus more news

The New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (13) is congratulated teammates Jack Hughes (96) defenseman Luke Hughes (43) and left winger Jesper Bratt (63) after scoring his second goal against the Washington Capitals at the Capital One Arena in DC on Wed Jan 3, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len:

#1 Nico Hischier scored two goals and got an assist for the New Jersey Devils getting three points as the Devils defeated the Washington Capitals at the Capital One Arena in Washington. New Jersey also got goals from Dawson Mercer and Michael McLeod who scored twice in the Devils 6-3 win. Alex Ovechkin had two assists for the Caps.

#2 Len, talk about the boarding penalty that the Arizona Coyotes forward Jason Zucker applied on the Florida Panthers forward Nick Cousins. Cousins was near the boards had stopped skating he was stationary and was not in movement and he was not scrambling for a puck and Zucker came from behind and blindsided him into the boards. Zucker received a three game suspension and got a major penalty and game misconduct for the hit.

#3 Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman was fined the maximum $4,427 for high sticking the Winnipeg Jets forward Cole Perfetti during Sun Dec 31, 2024 game in Minnesota. The high stick took place in the first period at 1:51 and the money will got the Players Emergency Assistance Fund.

#4 The Washington Capitals left wing Max Pacioretty made his first appearance since having his second Achilles surgery. Pacioretty said  “Obviously, I haven’t played. I’ve played five games in two years almost, so yeah, a lot of emotions. But at the end of the day, it probably couldn’t get any worse than it did tonight for me.”

#5 The San Jose Sharks go into tonight game against the Winnipeg Jets .The Jets have won seven of their last ten games. The Jets have won three in a row including beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 on Tuesday night. Meanwhile the Sharks lost their ninth straight game in a row to the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night 5-3 and will again try and snap that losing streak tonight.

Join Len Shapiro for the NHL podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Curry’s scoring once again saves Warriors; Payton out with hamstring injury; plus more news

Golden State Warrior guard Stephen Curry takes a three point shot as he’s fouled by the Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) in the first half at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Jan 2, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Stephen Curry led the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night with 36 points in the Warriors victory over the Orlando Magic 121-115 it was a win that snapped Golden State’s three game losing streak.

#2 Jerry, Curry was instrumental scoring two three pointers and assisted two other baskets in the third quarter that help the Warriors take the lead which the Orlando Magic was able to build in the second quarter.

#3 Curry’s offensive show continued with the last 8:33 left in the game which help put the Warriors up 101-97. Curry hit a step back three pointer that got the Warriors up 104-97.

#4 Jerry, with the win the Warriors moved up to .500 at 9-9. Without Draymond Green in the line up in the last ten days. Green has not been contact with the team. There has been no date when he would return although it was mentioned that he could be back during the first week in January. “We’ve been giving him his space, he’s been giving us ours,” said head coach Steve Kerr.

#5 Jerry, Gary Payton got a hamstring injury in the third quarter and didn’t get back in the game. Payton had missed four to five weeks. Payton according to Kerr had worked hard to get back in the line up and said with the hamstring this impacts the line up and Kerr said he has no idea when Payton will get back.

Join Jerry for the Warriors podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Join Jerry Feitelberg for the Warriors podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com