Kings Take a Beating At the Hands of the New Orleans Pelicans 129-93

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) looks to get the ball to a teammate while under the basket against the Sacramento Kings at Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The New Orleans Pelicans (6-7) squashed Sacramento in the Kings worst game of the season. The Pelicans poured in on the second half as they mercilessly pounded the Kings (8-4) in both the third and fourth quarters.

This game could not have ended soon enough for the Kings in their most embarrassing game of the season. Their worst game prior to this one was a loss to the Rockets in early November. They lost that game by 25 points. The final in this one was 129-93.

The Kings were on a roll but the Pelicans put an end to their six game win streak. The Kings were coming off a win over the Dallas Mavericks last Sunday. Monday night they took on the Pelicans and just couldn’t hang with them. The Pelicans had good defense to shut down the Kings scoring and dominated on offense staying well ahead of the Kings all game long. This was a challenge for Sacramento playing their first back-to-back games of the season.

Game recap: New Orleans did have a moderate start to the season but they still possess some very strong players in Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. They will be missing CJ McCollum with a chest (collapsed lung) issue.

The Kings Kevin Huerter was a game time decision. Sacramento will be looking to push their winning streak to seven. Whether or not the road trip along with this back to back will effect the team will be known as this game gets underway.

The Kings won the opening quarter taking a 31-29 lead. There was a very real change in the energy in the second quarter and at the half, the Pelicans had taken a 66-53 lead. New Orleans peppered the Kings winning the quarter 37-22.

Williamson was having a field day finishing the first half with 22 points. The Kings offense was struggling and fatigue could very well be factoring into the collapse. Sacramento led until the final five minutes of the quarter and then everything began to break down.

Keegan Murray only had 5 points in the half and De’Aaron Fox finished with nine points. This is when the Pelicans began to really turn it on extending their lead to 13 points going into the locker room.

The Kings would have to dig deep if they wanted to turn this game around. They had to find a way to disrupt the play of Williamson. They will be playing the Pelicans for a second time on Wednesday in New Orleans so they want to come out of this with at least a split.

As the third quarter got underway it became very evident that the sluggish play from Sacramento was partially the result of fatigue. At 7:57 in the quarter the Pelicans had a 22 point lead, 77-55.

New Orleans was running roughshod over the Kings. The Pelicans were shooting at 57% to the Kings 35%. Shots from beyond the arc also went to New Orleans shooting at 54% to the Kings 26%. This game was turning into a disaster for Sacramento. As the third came to an end, the Pelicans had taken a dominating 100-69 lead.

There was just more of the same as the fourth quarter wore on. This game could not have ended soon enough for the team. The final was 129-93 in a real shocker. Harrison Barnes had the high for the Kings with 16 points.

Sacramento will have to pull it all together because on Wednesday the Kings will meet the Pelicans for a second time in New Orleans. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.

30 points at 5:54

San Jose State Beats Hampton 71-52 In The Paradise Jam Tournament

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San Jose State Spartans guard Alvaro Cardenas (13) takes a jump shot against the Hampton University Pirates at University of Virgin Islands in St Thomas on Mon Nov 20, 2023 (San Jose State University Spartans photo)

Monday, November 20th, 2023

By Troy Ewers 

In the final game of the Paradise Jam tournament San Jose State faced off against Hampton University at the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas and the Spartans won by a decisive margin. 71-52 SJSU. The reason this game was such a blowout was because the Spartans got the best from their star players. 

Tibet Gorener, Trey Anderson, Myron Amey Jr., and Alvaro Cardenas all went crazy, especially Cardenas. Cardenas was the leading scorer with 23 points and he was 50% from the field. Adrame Diongue was one point and one rebound away from a double double and even though the Spartans were out played on the boards by Hampton, a key for SJSU was points off turnovers, 22 points. 

Hampton only scored 19 points in the 2nd half which won’t ever get you a win, but when SJSU scored 42 in that same half, it’s impossible to beat that. 

The next game for the Spartans will be back in San Jose against North Dakota State on November 27th and the Spartans are ready to get back to regular season play after spending the weekend in paradise.

NHL podcast with Torben Rolfsen: Sabres Dahlin goal helps edge Blackhawks; Flyers continue their win streak to five games; plus more news

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Try as hard as he will the Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) and the Blackhawks couldn’t get by the Buffalo Sabres as the Sabres defenseman Erik Johnson (6) defends Bedard’s efforts at the United Center in Chicago on Sun Nov 19, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Torben Rolfsen:

#1 Torben, the Buffalo Sabres Rusmus Dahlin had three points, a goal and two assists that helped edge the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 at the United Center in Chicago. Dahlin was elated after the game saying “we found a way to win. It wasn’t pretty but we found a way to win.”

#2 There seems no stopping the Philadelphia Flyers now they have won five straight games with Sunday’s defeat of the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The current win streak is the longest for the Flyers since they won nine in a row back on Feb 18 to Mar 7, 2020.

#3 The St Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer made 30 stops against the Anaheim Ducks in a 3-1 win on Sunday. The Blues had some of the weight of losing lifted off their shoulder they had been outscored in their previous two games 10-2. In their game Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings they lost 5-1.

#4 Alex Nedelijkovic made his return in goal for the Pittsburgh Penguins after suffering a lower body injury turning away 38 shots by the Vegas Golden Knights in a 3-0 win. This was Nedelijkovic’s first start since October 24th after being on the long term injured reserve list. Quite a game for Nedelijkovic after his injury and rehabbing in the AHL to return to the NHL.

#5 William Nylander returned to his native Stockholm and kept his point streak going at 17 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Nylander scored and had an assist in the Leafs win over the Minnesota Wild 4-3. “It was pretty special to get the OT winner there.” said Nylander at the 2023 NHL Global Series.

Torben Rolfsen covers the San Jose Sharks when they play the Vancouver Canucks in Vancouver for http://www.sportsradioservice.com. You could join Torben for the Comedy of Sports on Sportsnet Radio Canada

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors hope to snap losing streak tonight against Houston

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Oklahoma City Thunder guard  Vasilije Micic drives on the Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat Nov 18, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Golden State Warriors (6-7) lost a real knuckle cracker against the Oklahoma City (8-4) Thunder Saturday night 130-123 in overtime.

#2 Andrew Wiggins had his season high game with 31 points and was the reason that the Warriors had a great chance to win this game.

#3 With 1.6 seconds left on the clock the Thunder’s Chet Holmgren hit an unlikely 25-foot three point shot to tie the game at 117 and drive this game into overtime.

#4 The Warriors were looking forward to ending their five game losing streak only to have it continued with the overtime loss.

#5 Monday night the Warriors will take on the Houston Rockets at Chase Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM PT.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda continues to struggle hope to turn it around Tuesday against San Diego

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San Jose Barracuda couldn’t hold on in their overtime loss to the Colorado Eagles at Tech CU in San Jose on Sat Nov 18, 2023 (photo by San Jose Barracuda)

On the SJ Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 Callahan Burke scored the game winning goal 1:07 into the overtime period to give the Colorado Eagles a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Saturday evening at Tech CU Arena.

#2 San Jose has lost three out of its past four games. With the sweep, Colorado have won three out of its past four games.

#3 Colorado (8-5-3-0) drew first blood late in the first period with an even strength goal. A shot from the left wing by Tanner Kero was initially saved by ‘Cuda goalie Magnus Chrona but Wyatt Aamodt swooped in from the left and wrapped around the puck into the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season at the 16:12 mark.

#4 Colorado goalie, Justus Annunen finished the game stopping 31 of the 33 shots he faced to earn back-to-back victories. San Jose Chrona made 31 saves on 34 shots in the losing effort.

#5 San Jose hosts the San Diego Gulls on Tuesday 11/21 at 7:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

Join Marko for the Barracuda podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: How serious is a deal for A’s playing last 3 years in San Francisco?; Dodgers top pick so far for Ohtani

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Former Los Angeles Angels two way player Shohei Ohtani won the 2023 AL MVP and is an odds on favorite to join the Los Angeles Dodgers for the 2024 season. It’s yet to be determined. (AP News file photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Insiders have said that Oakland A’s president David Kaval after the MLB owners vote to move to Las Vegas that Oracle Park home of the San Francisco Giants could be the home of the A’s for the remaining three years 2025-27 while they wait for the Tropicana ballpark to be completed by 2028. How strong do you see that possibility.

#2 It’s ironic if the Giants were to allow the A’s to play at Oracle Park for the 2025-27 season in San Francisco after not allowing the A’s to have territorial rights to move to San Jose and now will allow them to come to Oracle and play their final three years in the San Francisco.

#3 No surprises here as former Los Angeles Angel Shohei Ohtani was named the AL MVP, Ohtani the two way player was 10-5 with an ERA of 3.14 pitching and hit .305 with 151 hits, 44 home runs, 102 runs, and 95 RBIs.

#4 Atlanta Braves Ronald Acuna Jr won the NL MVP hitting .337, 149 runs, 41 home runs, and 106 RBIs. Both Acuna and Ohtani won by unanimous decisions which is a first in the 92 years of the award.

#5 Ohtani is up for free agency is still waiting through the bidding and what team he would like to go and play for. The Los Angeles Dodgers are the odds on favorites in the Ohtani sweepstakes followed by the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose State Beats Hampton 71-52 In The Paradise Jam Tournament

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Monday, November 20th, 2023

By Troy Ewers 

U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas – In the final game of the Paradise Jam tournament San Jose State faced off against Hampton University and the Spartans won by a decisive margin. 71-52 SJSU. The reason this game was such a blowout was because the Spartans got the best from their star players. 

Tibet Gorener, Trey Anderson, Myron Amey Jr., and Alvaro Cardenas all went crazy, especially Cardenas. Cardenas was the leading scorer with 23 points and he was 50% from the field. Adrame Diongue was one point and one rebound away from a double double and even though the Spartans were out played on the boards by Hampton, a key for SJSU was points off turnovers, 22 points. 

Hampton only scored 19 points in the 2nd half which won’t ever get you a win, but when SJSU scored 42 in that same half, it’s impossible to beat that. 

The next game for the Spartans will be back in San Jose against North Dakota State on November 27th and the Spartans are ready to get back to regular season play after spending the weekend in paradise.

Kings Offense Shines In Win Over Mavericks 129-113; Sac picks up sixth win in a row in Dallas

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Sacramento Kings De’Aaron Fox (5) runs up the court against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center in Dallas on Sun Nov 19, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (8-4) won the final three quarters in their matchup against the Dallas Mavericks (9-5) finishing them off 129-113. Every starter finished in double digits and displayed a great defensive effort in the win against a very tough Dallas squad.

The Kings got their sixth win in a row Sunday night in Dallas taking on the Mavericks . Sacramento was able to contain Luka Doncic who averages 41 points per game, also recording 11.5 rebounds and nearly nine assists. Doncic led the Mavericks in scoring with 25 points.

In the Kings last few outings Domantas Sabonis has come away with 16 rebounds against the Lakers and 14 versus the Spurs so he can hold his own. He also delivers offensively and of course the Kings are now whole with the return of De’Aaron Fox who scored 43 points Friday night against the Spurs. He seems to step up bigger with every game since his return. The Kings showed that they have the talent to beat the Mavericks.

Game recap: The first quarter of this game was a close one with the Mavericks edging out the Kings 36-35. The Kings won the second quarter 35-29 and at the half Sacramento had a 70-65 lead. Every starter for Sacramento was in double digits at halftime with the exception of Harrison Barnes who was on the cusp with nine points.

The Kings were on point and had to carry this into the second half of the game. The Mavericks are in second place in the Western Conference tied with the Nuggets. The Kings could not afford any sort of let-down against Dallas in the second half.

The two teams battled back and forth in the third quarter with the Kings leading by slim margins for most of the quarter. In the final two minutes of the quarter Sacramento began to edge ahead leading after three quarters 107-96. Every King starter had double digits and off the bench Malik Monk had 12 points. They now had to keep up the pressure going into the final quarter of the game.

The Kings continued to extend their lead in the fourth quarter little by little leading 114-99 with 8 1/2 minutes left in the game. Each team had nine turnovers going into the fourth protecting the ball well on both sides.

Sabonis had recorded another double double with 11 rebounds and 28 points. The Kings had to dig deep to retain this lead against one of the best teams in the NBA. The Kings offensive effort continued through to the finish of this game. They won the quarter 22-17 and finished off the Mavericks 129-113. This was a terrific win for the Kings and was their sixth win in a row.

The Kings beat the Mavericks at every turn from shots from the field, to shots from beyond the arc and rebounds. They did have a few more turnovers, with 13, then Dallas but they had a consistent effort throughout the entire game offensively and defensively.

Sacramento did a good job containing Doncic and Kyrie Irving. The high for the Kings was Sabonis with 32 points and 13 rebounds. Fox had 30 points in an outstanding win.

After Sunday’s game, the Kings will head into Louisiana to take on the New Orleans Pelicans Monday night, in search of a seventh straight win. Zion Williamson did not play in their game Saturday being rested and they did not play in today’s game.

The Kings will more than likely see Williamson in Monday’s game. The Pelicans will be rested but the Kings will also be riding high with a lot of confidence after Sunday’s win. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Las Vegas Raiders Offense Falls Flat Losing to Miami Dolphins 20-13

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) is dropped and fumbles the ball by oncoming Las Vegas Raiders linebackers Luke Masterson (59) and Robert Spillane (41) at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sun Nov 19, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Raiders (5-6) had opportunities all afternoon but could not cash in. They lost to the Miami Dolphins (7-3) 20-13 on Sunday in Miami. Forcing two fumbles plus one interception gave the Raiders a very real chance to win this game. Their offense just would not cooperate missing receivers, and demonstrating inability to move the ball.

Sunday afternoon the Raiders took on the Miami Dolphins and failed to extend their two game winning streak under interim head coach Antonio Pierce. This game was their toughest contest since Pierce took over as head coach.

The Dolphins have a deep offense that begins and ends with Superstar Tyreek Hill. Las Vegas has a defense that really made some noise and it all began with Maxx Crosby who has been very good. The Raiders held the mighty Dolphin offense to just six points in the second half.

Game recap: The Raiders got a huge break in the first quarter recovering a Miami fumble on the Dolphins 30 yard line giving Las Vegas a great scoring opportunity. The Raiders did come away with a field goal, a 34-yard kick from Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson but had given up precious points. They had an early 3-0 lead.

The dangerous Miami offense went to work scoring a touchdown and taking a 7-3 lead as the opening quarter began to run out. The score came as a result of a Dolphin quarterback Tua Tagovailoa pass to Hill for 38 yards. The Raiders answered back as the game clock ran out . With 0:01 on the clock Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell connected with Davante Adams for 46 yards and a 10-7 Raider lead.

At 2:28 in the second quarter the Dolphin offense struck again. This time Tagovailoa found Salvon Ahmed for 11 yards giving the lead back to the Dolphins. The Raiders would pull closer, once again with seconds left on the clock before the half.

Carlson would kick a 47 yard field goal. Miami would take a slim 14-13 lead into the locker room. Las Vegas had scored three times in the first half, two of them with seconds left in both the first and the second quarters. Unfortunately both of those late quarter scores resulted in field goals. The second Raider field goal came as a result of a second Miami fumble and again Las Vegas settled for a field goal. There were too many squandered points for the Raiders so far in this game.

The Raiders kept the Dolphins out of the end zone in the third quarter but Miami did score two field goals. Miami kicker Jason Sanders kicked the first, a 41 yard field goal at 5:26. The third quarter would come to an end with another Sanders kick, this one a 51 yard field goal.

This was his first 50 yard plus field goal of the season. He had missed one earlier in this game. The Dolphins now held a 20-13 lead but the Raiders had continued to keep this game a one score game.

Neither team scored in the fourth quarter. The final was 20-13 in favor of the Dolphins. Las Vegas had so many opportunities in this game. They left a boatload of points out on the field; their offense was sketchy for much of the game.

O’Connell had a tough day with only one touchdown and three interceptions. He threw for 271 yards and was 24 of 41. Josh Jacobs had only 39 rushing yards. O’Connell targeted a wide open Adams several times but both were overthrown.

Las Vegas had their chances in this game forcing two Miami fumbles and one interception. They kept the Dolphins out of the end zone for the entire second half. This was a winnable game for Las Vegas that evaded them.

The Raiders have a tough game in front of them next Sunday taking on the Kansas City Chiefs. They had a rare chance to beat an excellent team today but did not take advantage of it. They will be home in Las Vegas for this next game. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:25 PM.

Purdy is perfect as 49ers dominate Bucs in 27-14 convincing win

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy attempts a pass play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday NOV 19, 2023. (San Francisco 49ers)

by Marko Ukalovic

It’s been 34 years since a San Francisco 49ers quarterback has had a perfect QB rating.

Brock Purdy matched a couple of quarterback legends in a 27-14 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon at Levi’s Stadium.

San Francisco has won two games in a row after dropping its past three and are in sole position of first place in the NFC West after the Los Angeles Rams upset victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Tampa Bay has lost five of its last six games.

Purdy recorded a QB rating of 158.3 for the first time in his NFL career. A feat that hasn’t been done in San Francisco since both Joe Montana and Steve Young did it during the 1989 season.

San Francisco scored on its second possession when Purdy led the team on a 12 play 80-yard drive against Tampa Bay’s defense that forced a punt on the 49ers first possession. Purdy connected with running back Christian McCaffery on a four-yard touchdown reception.

“I kind of hope the critics keep coming cause it pisses him off,” said McCaffery on Purdy’s detractors. “He plays really well.”

After a Jake Moody 37-yard field goal, the Buccaneers marched down the field on a 10 play 75-yard drive for it first touchdown. Baker Mayfield threw a one-yard touchdown reception to Mike Evans who tight-roped the back of the endzone.

The 49ers received a 28-yard field goal from Moody with :16 left in the second quarter to close out the first half on a positive note.

Purdy and the offense opened up the game on its first possession of the second half as they went 98 yards in just three plays for its next touchdown. Purdy threw a deep pass to the left to Brandon Aiyuk who raced into the endzone for a 76-yard touchdown reception.

The 76-yard touchdown reception is the longest in the NFL this season. Purdy has the two longest touchdown receptions in the league this season. Last week’s 66-yarder to Geroge Kittle was the longest till Aiyuk’s catch.

The 49ers offense kept the pedal to the metal when Purdy threw for his third touchdown of the game when he found Kittle in the back of the endzone all alone for a three-yard touchdown reception with 1:42 left in the third quarter for a 20-point lead.

Rachaad White rushed for a one-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter to give Tampa Bay hope, but San Francisco’s defense shut down Mayfield and company the rest of game with two turnovers on downs and one interception.

Ji’Ayir Brown intercepted Mayfield in the endzone with 3:38 remaining in the game to seal the deal for San Francisco. It was the first interception in the red zone by Mayfield in four years.

Fred Warner, who celebrated his 27th birthday, was the defensive player of the game with 12 total tackles, a forced fumble and half a sack. Nick Bosa led the 49ers in quarterback hits with three. Chase Young had a sack in back-to-back games since being acquired at the trade deadline by San Francisco.

Purdy finished his career day going 21 of 25 for 333 yards with no interceptions or sacks to go along with his three touchdowns and perfect QB rating. Aiyuk led all receivers with five catches for 156 yards. Kittle, overshadowed by Aiyuk, had eight catches for 89 yards. Deebo Samuel chipped in with three catches, including a 40-yarder, for 63 yards.

“Brock (Purdy) is solid, a really good quarterback, anything he can do. I don’t know if he can run a 4.3 (40-yard dash), do a lot of Wildcat stuff. But everything we’ve asked him to do, he’s done at a really high level,” 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said.

McCaffery, who started a new touchdown game streak, led all rushers with 78 yards on 21 carries. He also tallied five catches for 25 yards for another game with 100 plus all-purpose yards.

Mayfield was 29 of 45 for 246 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He was sacked four times. White led the Bucs in rushing with 30 yards on nine carries. Cade Otton led Tampa Bay in receiving with four catches for 49 yards. Evans chipped in five catches for 43 yards.

GAME NOTES: San Francisco finished 4-for-10 on third down conversions. Tampa Bay went 7-for-14.

49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga suffered a knee injury during the game and did not return.

UP NEXT: San Francisco travels to the Pacific Northwest for a Thanksgiving (11/23) showdown with the Seattle Seahawks at 5:20pm at Lumen Field.