Warriors Lose Second Game to the Timberwolves 104-101 In a Thriller; Golden State gets swept in in season game

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jordan McDaniels (left) grabs some of Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson’s jersey (right) in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Nov 14, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Minnesota Timberwolves (8-2) beat the Golden State Warriors (6-6) 104-101 in the second game of their two-game series. Warrior guard Stephen Curry was out for this game with a knee strain and to make matters worse, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green were ejected less than two minutes into the game.

The Warriors took on the Timberwolves for a second time in as many nights. After losing the first meeting 116-110 on Sunday the Warriors couldn’t even the score Tuesday night. The Warriors were without Curry who was out with a reported knee strain. The injury isn’t expected to sideline him for very long which is great news. It didn’t fuel the rest of the team in their now fourth straight loss. They couldn’t pick up the slack; they really missed Curry who was out of the line up.

Game recap: This first quarter was a crazy one with three ejections in less than two minutes. The first incident occurred when Thompson and Jaden McDaniels were both ejected after getting into a fight to start this in-season tournament game.

Seconds later Green was ejected for putting Rudy Gobert in a headlock. The Warriors were now down three of their starters, and losing two additional players for this game was not the way Golden State envisioned their start. The rest of the team had a nice start to the game winning the first quarter 30-22 really picking up the slack. They had a terrific opening quarter.

The second quarter was a close one going to the Timberwolves 32-29. Despite losing the quarter the Warrior continued to hang onto the lead 59-54.

A very close third quarter went to Golden State 24-22 and a 83-76 lead going into the fourth quarter. It was crunch time. Minnesota cut the Warriors lead and actually took the lead mid-way through the quarter.

The remainder of the game was either a tie or a one to two point swing. With 51 ticks left on the game clock Minnesota had a one-point lead 99-98. The Timberwolves Mike Conley nailed the coffin shut when he hit a shot from downtown with 9.1 seconds left in the game giving Minnesota the lead and the game. The Timberwolves continue to be one of the hottest teams in the NBA.

The Warriors got some amazing things from Dario Saric with 21 points and Chris Paul with 15. Top dog in this game was Brandin Podziemski with 23 points a career high for him. Kevon Looney had 12 rebounds.

This was a wild game for Golden State being so short-handed and competing so hard and just coming up short. Golden State responded so beautifully after the way this game started, picking up the pieces and almost winning this game. The high for Minnesota was Karl Anthony-Towns with 33 points and 11 rebounds and Gobert chipping in 13 rebounds of his own.

There will be little rest for the Warriors taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder Thursday night. That game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Warriors lose a hard-fought battle against Timberwolves, 105-101; Green and Gobert get ejected after brawl; Golden State drops fourth straight game

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) front center, guard Draymond Green left gets into a first half brawl with the Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (back) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Nov 14, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors (6-6) did not have guard Stephen Curry in Tuesday night’s starting Lineup. The Warriors had the veteran Chris Paul sub for Curry, and Steve Kerr started Dario Saric instead of Kevon Looney. Klay Thompson and Draymond Green were in the Warriors starting lineup. The Warriors ended up losing their fourth straight game and getting swept in the two game set by the Minnesota Timberwolves (8-2) 105-101.

Things went downhill quickly. With less than two minutes played, Thompson and the Wolves’ Jaden McDaniels got into quite a skirmish. It appeared that McDaniels grabbed Klay’s arm as the teams were in transition.

Thompson took umbrage with McDaniels holding his arm, and McDaniels answered by grabbing and ripping Thompson’s jersey. Green put a chokehold on Rudy Gobert as the Wolves’ Gobert attempted to pull the players apart. The referees ejected Thompson, Green, and McDaniels. Not a single point was on the scoreboard when this happened. The Warriors head coach, Steve Kerr, had to revamp his lineup quickly.

Kerr inserted rookie Brandin Podziemski as the shooting guard. The young man, drafted in the first round by the Warriors, showed the fans at Chase Center that he could play in the NBA. While the Warriors fell to the Wolves, Podziemski wowed everyone in the arena.

Up to this point in the season, Curry was the only Warriors to put 20 or more points on the board this season. Podziemski played 38 minutes and recorded 23 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and one steal. Podziemski made three three in eight tries. Kerr now knows the young man from Santa Clara University will be getting more minutes of playing time in the future.

Minnesota, even without McDaniels, had four stars in their lineup. Karl-Anthony Towns had a season-high 33 points. Towns pulled down 11 boards and made five threes. Anthony Edwards finished with 320. Edward made a three late in the fourth quarter to put the Wolves ahead 96-95. 

The Warriors behind Podziemski, Dario Saric, and Chris Paul won the first quarter 30-22. The Wolves had to be surprised at the play of the Warriors’ reserves. The Warriors maintained the lead at the end of the first half, leading by five, 59-54. 

The Warriors continued to play well in the third quarter. Saric and Podziemski continued to put points on the board. Podziemski hit a three at the buzzer to put the Warriors ahead by seven, 83-76. The Warriors had to play well in the fourth quarter if they hoped to upset the Wolves.

Minnesota came into the game, owning the best defense in the NBA. The Wolves stopped the Warrior offense cold at the start of the fourth quarter. The Wolves went on a 7-0 run to tie the game. From that point until late in the quarter, it was a dogfight.

Neither team could pull away. Saric hit a three to make it 98-96. Towns hit a three to put the Wolves ahead by one, 99-98. The Wolves Michael Conley knocked down a three to increase the lead to 104-98. Moses Moody connected on a three to close the gap to 104-101. It was too little, too late. The Wolves ran out the clock to preserve the win.

Game Notes: The Warriors lost their fourth game in a row to even their record at 6-6. Minnesota improved to 8-2

Saric had 21, and Podziemski 23. These two players join Curry as the only players to score 20 or more points in a game this season. Kerr had to be pleased with the contributions of Moody (11), and Chris Paul (15). Backup Guard Cory Joseph had six, and Gary Payton II added seven.

There may be additional penalties for the melee early in the game. Draymond Green may be suspended for attacking Rudy Gobert and putting a choke hold on him. 

The Warriors play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night at the Chase Center. The game will start at 7 p.m.

Owners expected to vote yes on moving A’s this week; Could Schools over Stadiums be last hope to block move?

Don’t expect this rendering of the Oakland A’s ballpark as this was a stop gap rendering last summer after the A’s announced they were moving to Las Vegas in Jun 2023. As of yet the A’s have not submitted a rendering or blue prints for their new Las Vegas ballpark and the MLB owners are voting this week to move the A’s to Vegas without a rendering. (Oakland A’s rendering of Tropicana ballpark location)

By Jerry Feitelberg

Major League Commissioner Rob Manfred sounded positive when talking to the news media saying that he is confident that the move by the Oakland A’s to Las Vegas will be just fine. “Vegas is a different kind of market. I think they’re going to be fine.”

It is expected that the MLB owners will get the anticipated 75% to move the A’s to satisfy one of two teams that Manfred wanted moved or get a new ballpark. The A’s failed for the new ballpark part in Oakland in Manfred’s view and is prepared to move the A’s to the Tropicana Hotel and Casino resort on the Las Vegas strip.

The A’s who have been in Oakland since 1968 have won four World Championships there. There was no saving grace that would have convinced the Commissioner that the A’s home should remain in Oakland. Amongst his complaints were the Oakland Coliseum is far outdated and when the sewage backed up and possums were making their home in the press box Manfred was at the end of his rope.

Manfred mentioned that Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao didn’t get anything resolved when she took office and MLB and the A’s had no other choice but to move the team to Vegas. Shao countered by saying that the City of Oakland was within striking distance of a deal with the A’s and Fisher just got up and walked away from a Howard Terminal ballpark deal.

Manfred gave a time limit to the City of Oakland to fix the Coliseum and when that didn’t meet his satisfaction he and A’s owner John Fisher started to research the Las Vegas market. Once they found a few viable location at the Rio and the Tropicana on the Vegas strip they had announced they’re intention of moving to the Rio and later the Tropicana.

The State of Nevada Legislation approved the $380 million in public funds last June and the A’s and MLB fast forward are confident that the owners will pass the A’s relocation request to Las Vegas this week in Arlington. If the owners vote to move the team as expected happens the last hurdle could be Schools over Stadiums who sought to have a petition put together for Nevada residents in four districts to sign.

Schools over Stadiums needs over Stadiums to get over 102,000 signatures approved by the Nevada voter registration to move the referendum on the ballot if approved by the voters in the November 2024 election the referendum would be put on the ballot in an attempt to stop the public funding for the A’s ballpark.

Although some owners for different reasons may not be excited about the A’s leaving the sixth largest media market in baseball to the 40th and smallest market with the smallest ballpark in MLB. Most likely they will as a group will vote for the move as they want to show they are all together as a business group. Also the Kansas City Royals are looking to move and build a brand new stadium in downtown Kansas City and the Milwaukee Brewers are getting $545 million from the state of Wisconsin. Any vote that would involve the owners they want show they are in unison as a group.

There is a lot at work that will have Schools over Stadiums on their heels, the unions in Vegas are very strong on bringing the A’s to the strip because of more job creation. The Culinary union is considered the strongest union in Las Vegas and are heavily behind the effort to move the A’s to Las Vegas. Other unions in Nevada are also on the push for the A’s to come to Vegas because of job growth.

Schools over Stadiums is seen as probably the last chance that Oakland has to try and block the team from moving to Vegas. After a hearing on Mon Nov 6th a Nevada District Court Judge ruled that the language in the petition for Schools over Stadiums needed to be cleaned before Schools over Stadiums can circulate the petition. After the judge disallowed the petition he advised Schools over Stadiums that they could appeal the ruling and they have enough time to get the language fixed as the petition must be ready before the June 2024 deadline to be submitted.

Manfred did pardon Fisher from paying a relocation fee which might be a long shot reason for owners to vote no on the relocation. Owners already are aware that the A’s have received revenue sharing for years and now they’re going to wave the relocation fee. That and the A’s have not produced an updated rendering and blue print, a financial plan for the park, and where is John Fisher’s part to pay for the ball park? These are issues still on the table that need to be addressed and the vote is supposed to be taken this week.

Manfred is waiting for the Tampa Bay Rays and A’s to get their new stadium issues in order and once everything is in place he will consider expansion for one team in the east and west. On that list for expansion mentioned Portland and Salt Lake City in the west and Charlotte and Nashville in the east.

Jerry Feitelberg is a Oakland A’s beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings Defeat Cavs 132-120; Fox 28 pts and Murray 25 pts lead in Sac’s scoring

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen bottom left defends against Sacramento Kings center Alex Len top left whose trying to tip the ball in the basket at Golden 1 Sacramento on Mon Nov 13, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Monday night. The Kings were set to welcome in the Cleveland Cavaliers after two days off over the weekend. The Kings had last played on Friday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Kings defeated the Thunder en route to their first NBA in-season tournament game of the year. On Monday, the Kings welcomed Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers at 7 PM PST. The Kings got a boost before tip-off as De’Aaron Fox returned from his ankle sprain after missing five games. The Kings trounced the Cavs in a commanding 132-120 win. 

In the first quarter, the Kings and Domantas Sabonis took control early. The Kings offense came out with high intensity. The lift Fox brings the Kings offense was apparent. Fox scored seven points as Sabonis added 11 in the quarter to get the Kings going. The Kings outscored the Cavaliers in the first quarter 33-25. 

In the second quarter, the Kings looked to build on the eight-point first-quarter lead. The Kings weren’t able to add to the lead in the second quarter. However, they did maintain exactly an eight-point advantage.

The Kings and the Cavaliers would enter halftime with the Kings leading 68-60. Fox and Sabonis had a tremendous first half for the Kings, with Fox scoring 15 and Sabonis 16. Donovan Mitchell led the way for the Cavaliers with 12 points in the half. Defensive intensity would be the game’s key in the second half for the Kings if they were going to win. 

In the third quarter, the Kings broke out. The Kings scored an impressive 42 points in the quarter to take a commanding lead. The Cavaliers were only able to muster 29 points as the Kings separated. The Kings offense could do no wrong in the quarter as the Cavaliers struggled to get back on defense. The Kings played a complete game as they led the Cavaliers 110-89 going into the final quarter. 

In the fourth quarter, the Kings took a step back as the Cavaliers upped the intensity on the offensive end. The Cavaliers offense put up 31 points in the fourth quarter. On the other hand, the Kings offense dropped off to a 22 point output in the final quarter of the game.

However, the Kings massive 21 point advantage would hold up as they defeated the Cavaliers 132-120. The Kings were led by Fox who had 28 points in his return from injury. Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 22 points in the game. 

Up Next: The Kings go on the road to take on the LA Lakers on Wednesday at 7 PM PST.

Jalen Cone carries Cal to strong bounceback win over CSU Bakersfield 83-63

Cal Bears guard Jalen Cone (15) takes a jump shot against the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Mon Nov 13, 2023 (Cal Bears photo)

Monday, Nov. 13, 2023

Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, California

CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners 63 (1-2)

California Golden Bears 83 (2-1)

By Stephen Ruderman

Following a tough loss to the University of Pacific Tigers, Jalen Cone shined with 23 points and seven three-pointers, as the Cal Bears beat the California State University of Bakersfield Roadrunners comfortably by a final of 83-63.

It was a quiet Monday night at Haas Pavilion both in the crowd, and on the court, as it took two minutes for either team to score. Devin Askew hit a three ball two minutes and 13 seconds into the game, and Cal struck first. Jalen Cone also hit a three to make it 6-0, but the Roadrunners scored seven unanswered points to take a 7-6 lead.

Cal bounced back and took a 13-9 lead. Ugnius Jerusevicius hit a free throw, and then Higgins hit a three for the Roadrunners to tie it at 13-13 with 11:55 left.

The score was then 16-16, and after Cone hit another three with 10:09 left, the Bears went on a roll. Cal went on a 36-21 run to go into the half up 49-34.

The Roadrunners scored five unanswered points to start the second period as part of a 7-1 run as they cut the score to 50-41, but Cal responded swiftly, and put the game away.

In addition to Cone’s performance, all five of Cal’s starters scored double digits, as the team hit 13 threes as a whole. Fardaws Aimaq scored 14 points; Jaylon Tyson scored 13; Devin Askew scored 12; and Grant Newell scored 10. Each starter also hit at least one three, as Askew and Newell both hit two, and Aimaq and Tyson hit one.

As for Bakersfield, Kaleb Higgins led the way with 22 points, but Cal’s defense kept the rest of the Roadrunners at bay.

Cal is back over .500 at 2-1, and the opening homestand will continue on Thursday, as the Bears will welcome the Montana State Bobcats to Berkeley for an 8:00 tipoff.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast with Michael Duca: MLB owners vote on A’s relocation this week; Nevada Independent calls A’s relocation mismanagement and political cronyism

The Tropicana Hotel and Casino is on the chopping block to get demoed late 2024 and the construction for the A’s ballpark is to begin April 2025 according to the Las Vegas Stadium Authority. (photo by the Nevada Independent on May 9, 2023)

Michael Duca filled for That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Michael, the Nevada Independent calls A’s coming to Vegas mismanagement, political cronyism, and a public relations disaster as the MLB owners prepare to vote on the A’s relocation this week.

#2 The article goes onto to say last week’s meeting with the Las Vegas Stadium Authority so far shows that this is throwing tax dollars away at the Tropicana ballpark and that’s it’s a worthy investment.

#3 So far the A’s have not produced how they will fund the construction costs and they have not presented a rendering of how the park will look like and the MLB owners A’s relocation vote is Tuesday night in Arlington.

#4 One other feature that’s hardly been discussed that the Independent shined the light on was the lease agreement between the team and the Las Vegas Stadium Authority this a deal similar to what Allegiant Stadium has that the A’s would not have to pay rent for 30 years and revenues go to the A’s. That would include fringe benefits of retail, hotels, and office space that the A’s will benefit from when the Tropicana is developed.

#5 One other important point there is no oversight committee to see how the public funds are allocated and managed over the project. The Independent points out that the oversight is being managed by the very same people who lobby lawmakers for public money who helped the A’s move from one binding agreement (the Rio) to the Tropicana. This is public money being thrown away to a private business that the Stadium Authority claims would be a benefit for public interests but is really helping private interests such as the Tropicana Ballpark development.

Michael Duca filled in for Amaury Pi Gonzalez who does News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Cuda play checkmate with Checkers in 5-1 flip the script win

The San Jose Barracuda get a win Sun Nov 12, 2023 after losing to the Charlotte Checkers the previous night (Saturday) at Tech CU Arena in San Jose (photo by the San Jose Barracuda)

On the SJ Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 After playing Charlotte Friday and losing the Barracuda looked for a bounce-back win Sunday getting it 5-1.

#2 The Barracuda came out firing in this one as just 1:22 into the game Tanner Caspick scored his third goal of the season.

#3 The period ended with each team getting two power plays apiece and the shots favoring San Jose 14-7.

#4 Then on a delay of game penalty, Patrick Bailey scored his fifth goal of the season and the first power-play goal of the game. That’s were the score would end up as the Barracuda won 5-1 with the shots tied at the end of the game at 27 apiece.

#5 San Jose won’t play again until Friday when they take on Colorado Eagles at Tech CU in San Jose at 7 p.m.

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

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors on 3 game skid lose first of two games with Timberwolves at Chase Center

Golden State Warriors Klay Thompson (11) and the Minnesota Timberwolves Karl-Anthony Towns (right) go for the basketball at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sun Nov 12, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Golden State Warriors (6-5) could not stop the best offensive team in the Western Conference Sunday night. Golden State lost their third game in a row falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-110.

#2 Minnesota is loaded with a plethora of talent in Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert. This was a tougher matchup than Saturday night’s game against Cleveland.

#3 Barbara, Minnesota head coach Chris Finch talked about finding ways and strategies on improving winning games and like you talked about in your recap last night Finch and the Timberwolves have found ways to win like they did against the Warriors on Sunday.

#4 Talk about Anthony Edwards scored 33 points and was followed up by Karl Anthony-Towns who scored 21 points. Towns also had a season best 14 rebounds which shows you that hurts the Warriors on rebounding against the Wolves.

#5 The Timberwolves will try and sweep this two game set on Tuesday night at Chase Center for a 7:00 pm PT tip off. How do you see this second game going down after you saw how the Timberwolves perform against the Warriors on Sunday night. Like you said in your recap it’s tough to win the second game when your on the road like the Timberwolves are.

Join Barbara Mason for the Warriors podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez: Jacobs 116 yards rushing helps Raiders get good field position against Jets

Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (8) tries to get out of the grip of New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) in second half action at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sun Nov 12, 2023 (AP News Photo)

On the Raiders podcast with Rich Perez:

#1 Rich the Las Vegas Raiders (5-5) running back Josh Jacobs rushed for 116 yards, 27 carries and help set the Raiders up for some good field position. Jacobs didn’t score a touchdown in the win over the New York Jets (4-5) 16-12.

#2 Rich, Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell was on target on Sunday night firing for 153 yards passing, a touchdown and went 16-27.

#3 Head coach Antonio Pierce has now taken the Raiders to a 2-0 record since taking over the team and that first game he got the team to loosen up against the New York Giants and the same could pretty much be said about this Jets game.

#4 The Raiders defense kept the Jets to a low roar with the Jets scoring just six points in the first quarter and getting just a field goal in the second and fourth quarters in the 16-12 Las Vegas victory.

#5 It’s off to Miami and the Dolphins (6-3) who not a slouch team. The Raiders will probably be occupied trying to stop the Dolphins passing game and ground game as well. The Dolphins are coming off a 21-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Rich how do you see this match up next Sunday.

Rich Perez does the Las Vegas Raiders podcasts after every home and away game at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Raiders defense held back Jets in final three quarters

Las Vegas Raiders Robert Spillane linebacker (41) picked off a crucial New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson pass late in the four quarter to break up any chance for the Jets to come back. Spillane leaves the field at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sun Nov 12, 2023 (AP News photo)

On Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony R:

On the Raiders podcast with Tony:

#1 Tony the Las Vegas Raiders (5-5) running back Josh Jacobs rushed for 116 yards, 27 carries and help set the Raiders up for some good field position. Jacobs didn’t score a touchdown in the win over the New York Jets (4-5) 16-12.

#2 Tony, Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell was on target on Sunday night firing for 153 yards passing, a touchdown and went 16-27.

#3 Head coach Antonio Pierce has now taken the Raiders to a 2-0 record since taking over the team and that first game he got the team to loosen up against the New York Giants and the same could pretty much be said about this Jets game.

#4 The Raiders defense kept the Jets to a low roar with the Jets scoring just six point in the first quarter and getting just a field goal in the second and fourth quarters in the 16-12 Las Vegas victory.

#5 It’s off to Miami and the Dolphins (6-3) who not a slouch team. The Raiders will probably be occupied trying to stop the Dolphins passing game and ground game as well. The Dolphins are coming off a 21-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Rich how do you see this match up next Sunday.

Tony Renteria does the Las Vegas Raiders podcasts after every week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com