Barracuda bounce-back with convincing win over Checkers 5-1

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Photo courtesy of San Jose Barracuda.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- After playing Charlotte Saturday and losing the Barracuda looked for a bounce-back win Sunday 5-1.

In goal for the Barracuda was Magnus Chrona while for Charlotte Spencer Knight started his second game in a row.

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

Then the blueline got involved offensively as Valtteri Pulli deposited the puck in the net getting his first of the campaign.

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

Down but not out Charlotte got one back from Ryan McAllister getting his second goal in as many games.

The score remained close until late in the second when Scott Sabourin scored a short-handed goal on a Nick Cicek high-sticking penalty.

At the end of the second, the shots still favored San Jose 22-20.

Looking for the dagger Thomas Bordeleau was given a chance to do just that as he scored on an odd man rush making it 4-1.

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.

The three stars of the game were: 1st: Thomas Bordeleau 2nd: Ethan Cardwell 3rd: Valtteri Pulli

San Jose won’t play again until Friday when they take on Colorado at home at 7 p.m.

Warriors Drop Third In a Row to Offensive Giants – the Timberwolves 116-110 in the first of two game set

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry gestures after making a three point shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Chase Center in San Francisco in first half action on Sun Nov 12, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

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.

After a tough loss Satrurday night in a game that seemed to go on and on for what seemed like an eternity the Warriors were back on the court at Chase Sunday night taking on the Timberwolves in the first of two games with the Timberwolves.

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. Golden State was challenged by the sheer size of Minnesota.

Game recap: The first quarter was a close one with the Timberwolves taking as much as a five point lead but the Warriors erased the Minnesota lead going ahead 25-19 at 2:50 in a ten point swing. The Timberwolves fought back tying up this game at 25 with 1:43 left in the first 12 minutes. With one tick left on the game clock Warriors guard Stephen Curry made a layup giving the Warriors a 31-29 lead after one quarter.

The Warriors led for a minute in the second quarter 38-30 at 9:43 but Minnesota came charging back tying up the game 38-38 at 7:18. The game was tied again at 6:01 40-40 with the Timberwolves Rudy Gobert making a huge impact with spectacular play.

The Warriors had trouble keeping Minnesota off the glass due to their size. The Timberwolves had gone on a 22-8 run in the second half of the second quarter and led at the half 54-51. The Warriors were trailing at the half but they had Curry and a whole second half to get this game done.

They were only shooting at 38% to the Timberwolves 47% and so they had to be pleased with this slight deficit. Minnesota had gotten the best of the Warriors from downtown as well shooting 37% to Golden State’s 20%. Looking at only a three point deficit, the Warriors, a second half team was in great shape despite trailing.

With 8:36 remaining in the third quarter the Timberwolves continued to hang onto the lead 65-60 and with under six minutes left in the quarter Minnesota started to pull away. The third quarter turned into a disaster as the Timberwolves began to distance themselves from Golden State now leading 85-71 with under two minutes left in the quarter.

The Warriors were having trouble containing the best offensive team in the league. As has been seen so often, it was Curry doing all the heaving lifting with 25 points and Klay Thompson the only other starter with double digits. Going into the fourth quarter Minnesota led 89-73 and the Timberwolves had sucked the life out of the Chase Center crowd.

The pace in the fourth quarter began to quicken and the Chase crowd began to get involved although Minnesota continued to hold a 98-84 lead halfway through the final quarter. Minnesota was relentless striking back every time the Warriors made a move. The Timberwolves are to make some serious noise in the Western Conference this season.

The Warriors just could not stop the Minnesota penetration falling to the Timberwolves 116-110. This was the Timberwolves sixth win in a row. Curry was the high score for both teams with 38 points. Dario Saric was the high off the Warrior bench with 11 points. Anthony Edwards had the high for Minnesota with 33 points.

Golden State will get another shot at Minnesota this coming Tuesday in this two game series. It is always very difficult to beat the same team twice in a row and Minnesota just might see a different result. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 7:00 PM at the Chase Center.

Spillane Interception Locks Down Raider’s second win in a row 16-12

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Aidan O’Connell puts his all into the pass at quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders against the New York Jets at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sun Nov 12, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Raiders (5-5) and the New York Jets (4-5) traded field goals through three quarters of football Sunday night. The play of the game came when Robert Spillane intercepted the Jets quarterback Zach Wilson in the fourth quarter to finish off New York 16-12.

After putting a beat-down on the Giants last Sunday 30-6, the Raiders took on the Jets on the national stage Sunday night. Both teams have been sorely challenged this season and this was a very close contest.

Game Recap: This game emerged into a flurry of field goals through three quarters. Neither team was able to find the end zone. The Jets were first up on the scoreboard with Greg Zuerlein kicking a 47 yard field goal in the first quarter.

Raiders tied up the game 3-3 at 6:15 in the quarter with a Daniel Carlson 41 yard field goal. The teams would continue to trade field goals in the first quarter. Zuerlein kicked a second field goal, a 53 yarder taking a 6-3 lead going into the second quarter.

New York took a 9-3 lead with yet another Zuerlein field goal, this one a 30 yard kick. The Raiders Carlson would add to the Raiders tally 9-6 with a 53 yard kick as the game clock ran out on the second quarter. The Raiders were still trailing but this was still anyone’s game as the two teams headed into the locker room at the half.

The Raiders tied up the game in the third quarter with another field goal from Carlson, this one for 40 yards. Through three quarters each team had kicked three field goals but did not score a touchdown. This game went into the fourth quarter tied up at 9 points apiece.

Las Vegas hit pay dirt in the opening minute of the fourth quarter. Quarterback Aidan O’Connell found Michael Mayer for seven yards and the first touchdown of the game taking a 16-9 lead with a lot of game still to be played.

The Jets would pull closer with their fourth field goal, a 45 yard kick. The Raiders still had a 16-12 lead and the play of the game for Las Vegas would not materialize until 1:22 left in the game.

With the clock running down and the Jets threatening to take the lead Robert Spillane intercepted a Jets quarterback Zach Wilson pass intended for Allen Lizard. With everything on the line Spillane made the play of the day locking down the win for the Raiders.

Spillane who leads the team in tackles stepped up when it counted most. Las Vegas held on for the final minute of play and with the 16-12 win is now at .500 (5-5) for the season.

Next Sunday, the Raiders will travel to Miami to take on the Dolphins looking for a third win in a row. The game is scheduled for 10:00 AM.

Sharks Fall 4-1 to Ducks; SJ has now dropped two straight

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The San Jose Sharks Mike Ferraro (38) skates with the puck in front of the Anaheim Ducks Troy Terry (19) during the first period at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Nov 12, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks lost to the Anaheim Ducks 4-1 on Sunday. Frank Vatrano scored twice for Anaheim, and Mason McTavish and Radko Gudas added two more. John Gibson made 25 saves for the win. Luke Kunin scored for San Jose and Mackenzie Blackwood made 40 saves in the loss.

The Sharks had two power plays in the game, and three shots with the man advantage. After the game, Sharks Head Coach David Quinn talked about the Sharks’ struggling power play:

“They get the power play goal late in the first, make it 2-1, and then we get our power plays and it just really deflated us. I mean really, you know, not a lot of pace, not a lot of urgency to our power play right now. You know, you may not score but you need to gain some momentum off your power play and that’s not happening right now.”

Tomas Hertl also talked about what the Sharks need to do to fix their power play: “We have to just try to shoot through and get some rebounds, some greasy goals more than fancy and we have to keep working on it.”

Anaheim scored first 4:49 into the game. Frank Vatrano tipped a shot from Ilya Lyubushkin. Ryan Strome got the secondary assist. It was Vatrano’s tenth goal of the season.

Luke Kunin tied the game at 13:05. After Tomas Hertl shot the puck in, it bounced up in a high rebound and Kunin batted it down and into the net. Assists went to Hertl and William Eklund. It was Kunin’s second goal of the season.

Vatrano scored his second of the game with a slap shot off a Cam Fowler pass. The power play goal came at 18:22, giving Ahamein at 2-1 lead. Assists went to Fowler and Jakob Silfverberg.

A scoreless second period saw the Sharks have their best shot count of the game, with 12 to the Ducks’ 18. the period saw a number of penalties, including a fight between Luke Kunin and Max Jones.

Mason McTavish made it 3-1 1:52 into the third period. Skating right down the slot, he caught a pass from Leo Carlsson right in front of the blue paint. Assists went to Carlsson and Pavel Mintyukov.

Radko Gudas made it 4-1 just under a minute later. A crazy high-flying puck went up well out of reach of any defenseman and dropped behind Blackwood, who did not realize it was in the air. Assists went to Strome and Vatrano.

The Sharks’ penalty kill gave up two goals on five Ducks power plays. They also had two short-handed shots in the game.

The Sharks next play on Tuesday back in San Jose at 7:30 PM PT against the Florida Panthers.

49ers completely dominate Jaguars in 34-3 route

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The San Francisco 49ers defense celebrates one of their four takeaways over the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank ST on Sunday NOV 12, 2023. (San Francisco 49ers).

by Marko Ukalovic

It was an emphatic way to snap a three-game losing streak.

The San Francisco 49ers destroyed the Jacksonville Jaguars in a 34-3 blowout victory on Sunday afternoon at EverBank Stadium.

San Francisco snapped its longest losing streak of the season with the win. Jacksonville fell back down to earth as it had its four-game winning streak also came to end.

The 49ers set the tone from the get-go as they forced back-to-back three and outs the ended with sacking quarterback Trevor Lawrence twice. The ferocious defense held Jaguars to 11 yards in first quarter.

Brock Purdy threw 13-yard touchdown reception after scrambling out to his left and threw the ball over a sea of traffic in the endzone to Brandon Aiyuk to complete a four play 57-yard drive in just 2:05 on San Francisco’s opening drive.

Newly acquired defensive end Chase Young sacked and stripped Lawerence of the ball early in the second quarter. Nick Bosa, who was also in on the play, recovered the ball. San Francisco traded for Young at the deadline for a compensatory third-round pick to the Washington Commanders.

San Francisco opened the second half when Purdy connected with tight end George Kittle 66-yard touchdown reception. Kittle beat Devin Lloyd on a in route. It was the longest touchdown of Purdy’s career.

The 49ers defense made Lawrence’s life hell in the second half as the shutdown the Jaguars offense. Talanoa Hufanga intercepted Lawrence on a 3rd and 1 on Jacksonville’s first possession of the first half.

Ambry Thomas stripped Christian Krik at the 6-yard line, picked up the ball and ran down the right sideline for what appeared to be a 92-yard touchdown return. But there was an illegal substitution called on San Francisco when players ran onto the field during the play.

San Francisco’s defense finished with five sacks and four takeaways, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries after being humbled the past three games during the losing streak.

Deebo Samuel, back from his injury he suffered on October 15th against the Cleveland Browns, put the game away late in the third quarter when he ran an end around for 23 yards for his second rushing touchdown of the season.

Purdy found a wide-open Kyle Juszczyk for 22-yard touchdown reception with 12:40 left in the fourth quarter for his third touchdown of the game. The second-year quarterback out of Iowa St. finished 19 of 26 for 296 yards to go along with his three scores and no interceptions.

The only drama late in the game was if running back Christian McCaffery would break the all-time record for consecutive games with a touchdown. It didn’t happen as his last attempt was an incomplete pass on 4th and Goal with 2:56 left in the fourth quarter. McCaffery rushed for 95 yards on 16 carried and had six receptions for 47 yards.

Kittle led all receivers with three catches for 116 yards. Aiyuk chipped in three catches for 55 yards. Samuel had four catches for 30 yards.

Lawrence was 17 of 29 for 185 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Kirk led the Jaguars in receiving with six catches for 104 yards. Travis Etienne Jr chipped in with 35 yards on nine carries.

GAME NOTES: Both teams were 4-for-12 on third down conversions.

UP NEXT: San Francisco returns home to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday 11/19 at 1:05pm at Levi’s Stadium.

San Jose State Spartans Lose To Texas Tech Red Raiders 56-42 After Second Half Turnovers

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Myron Amey Jr (0) walks off the floor for the San Jose State Spartans after a defeat to the Texas Tech Red Raiders at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock TX on Sun Nov 12, 2023 (San Jose State Spartans photo)

Sunday, November 12th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

It’s the first road game for San Jose State and they face Texas Tech in the home of the Red Raiders. 

The 2-0 Spartans were prepared for the Red Raiders and focused on defense. Keeping Texas Tech and utilizing mismatches early. SJSU cut off the Red Raiders’ access to the paint and forced them to have to try to score from the outside.

On offense both teams weren’t hitting from the three point line, but the Spartans found a stride in the first half scoring in the paint. The game was close all first half, but Spartans Coach Tim Miles was adamant that his boys will win the battle in the key.

A battle Coach Miles wanted his team to win the most was on the boards, Adrame Diongue led the team with rebounds in the first, but the Red Raiders had 19 rebounds over the Spartans 17 rebounds and that battle shows why Coach Miles was so focused on it, because at halftime Texas Tech was up by one point, 22-21. 

The second half started with both teams trading leads. San Jose State’s ability to score on second chance points is phenomenal even though they only had six second chance points at the 11 minute mark in the second half. In the last five minutes Texas Tech had a six point lead and Spartans had to get back to what got them a lead in the first half, but turnovers were costing them and Texas Tech capitalized on the Spartans’ mistakes.

The Red Raiders went on a 13-2 run at one point and in the final minute Texas Tech was up 11 and let the clock run out, but not before hitting one last three to make it 56-42 and that was game. The Spartans main problem in this game was when they couldn’t get a run going, they tried to shoot threes and turned the ball over. The Red Raiders scored 19 points off of the Spartans 16 turnovers. 

It wasn’t easy, but Texas Tech pulled out and won making their record 2-0 and the Spartans go 2-1. San Jose State wanted this win, but they’ll get to forget about this loss in the U.S. Virgin Islands where they’ll be in the Paradise Jam tournament starting on November 17th. 

San Jose State reigns supreme in the Valley as they beat Fresno 42-18

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Photo courtesy of Titus Wilkinson. Head coach Brent Brennan lifts the Valley trophy (photo taken on 11/10/23).

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- The Spartans took on Fresno in the battle for the Valley Saturday night at CEFCU stadium.

The first quarter was as dominant as they come for San Jose State who came out the gate swinging.

It started off with a touchdown pass to Malikhi Miller that went for 25 yards getting the fans on their feet.

Fresno would respond with a field goal but the Spartans tacked onto their lead with another passing touchdown this time to Isaac Jernagin.

San Jose wasn’t done scoring in the first quarter as Kairee Robinson rushed one up the gut getting a four yard touchdown and making it a commanding 21-3 score.

In the second the good times kept rolling as Nick Nash caught what was already Chevan Cordeiro’s third touchdown pass of the night making it 28-3.

Later in the second quarter Fresno did show some life as they got a touchdown as Mac Dalena caught a deep shot making it 28-10.

That’s how the first half ended as San Jose State looked comfortably in the lead.

If there was any thought the that Fresno could come back that would be quickly be put to rest as Logan Fife threw a pick-six returned by Michael Dansby.

With the score now 35-10 the red that was originally peppered throughout CEFCU stadium slowly started to bleed out.

The fourth quarter was merely icing on the cake as Robinson got another rushing touchdown which was his 17th of the season.

Fresno would get a garbage time touchdown as Jalen Moss caught a pass from Fife to make it 42-18 which would end up being the final score.

San Jose State then rushed the field and grabbed the Valley trophy and held it high enjoying their fourth victory in a row.

Next game will be the Spartans final home game against San Diego State on November 18th at 7:30 p.m.

Martinez runs wild in Beavers’ 62-17 rout of Stanford

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Stanford Cardinal quarterback Aston Daniels (14) looks for an open receiver against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium in Corvallis on Sat Nov 11, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Saturday, November 11, 2023

Damien Marttinez put on a show for Oregon State Saturday, rushing for 146 yards and a career-best four touchdowns for the No. 12 Beavers, as they trounced Stanford 62-17 at Corvallis, Ore.

Martinez was the Pac-12 freshman offensive player of the year in 2022. He passed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season, doing most of his damage in the first half as Oregon State (8-2 overall, 5-2 Pac-12) kept its conference championship game hopes alive while winning its ninth straight home game.

The Cardinal (3-7 overall, 2-6 Pac-12) had troubler keeping up with Oregon State’s high-powered attack as they trailed 34-10 at halftime.

Martinez set the tone, but there were others who had a big day for the Beavers. Quarterback DJ Ulagalelei completed 12 of 19 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns, and Andrew Chatfield Jr. had two sacks, a forced fumble and an interception.

Martinez scored his first touchdown with 9:52 left in the first quarter. Four minutes later, Martinez ran in from 59 yards out. With 623 seconds to go in the quarter, Ashton Daniels put the Cardinal on the board with a 7-yard touchdown run, cutting OSU’s lead to 14-7.

A minute and 26 seconds into the second quarter, Martinez’s 15-yard touchdown run put the Beavers up 21-7, and OSU added another score two minutes later on a 40-yard scoring pass from Ulagalelei to Jermaine Terry II.

Stanford’s Joshua Karty kicked a 28-yard field goal with 3:04 left In the second quarter, cutting the OSU lead to 28-10. But Martinez scored his fourth touchdown, a five yard run with 15 seconds left in the half, to give the Beavers a 24-point lead at the intermission.

Oregon State proceeded to outscore the Cardinal 28-7 in the second half. With 1:30 left in the third quarter, Stanford scored one last time when Daniels threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Elic Ayomanor.

Daniels completed 10 of 16 passes for 200 yards, one touchdown, an interception and he was sacked three times. Daniels was also the Cardinal’s leading ground gainer with 37 yards on nine carries. Ayomanor caught three passes for 122 yards.

Oregon State racked up 29 first downs and 598 yards in total offense.

Stanford returns home for the 126th renewal of the Big Game against California next Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

Bears Drag the Cougars up the Hill and Maul Them 42-39, on Senior Day in the East Bay

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Cal Bears running back Jaydn Ott leaps into the end zone to score against the Washington State Cougars at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley on Sat Nov 11, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

BERKELEY, Calif. — The California Golden Bears (4-6, 2-5 Pac-12) honored their senior players with a clawbiter win over conference foe Washington State Cougars (4-6, 1-6 Pac-12) in front of 38,155 fans at Memorial Stadium.

The Bears were generous guest by deferring the ball to the Cougars, after winning the coin toss. Apparently WASU didn’t appreciate the kind gesture and gave the gift right back.

Less tha three minutes into the contest, Cougars’ junior quarterback Cameron Ward fumbled on 4th & 1. Freshman running back and special teamer, Cade Uluave forced the fumble and returned it for a 51-yard TD. That quickly, the Bears were up 7-0 without possessing the ball yet.

When Cal did get their first possession, they absolutely took advantage of their opportunity. Redshirt freshman QB Fernando Mendoza tossed a six yard TD pass to fellow R-FR TE Jack Endries. Less than ten minutes of the first quarter, the Bears were up by two touchdowns, 14-0.

With 17 seconds left in the first, Ward was able to redeem himself a bit. He scored a three yard TD on a QB keeper. At the end of 15, the Cougars cut the deficit in half, 14-7.

Early in the second quarter sophomore RB Jaydn Ott fumbled into the endzone, as he was trying to score, fortuitously his teammate R-JR lineman Brian Driscoll recovered the ball and was awarded the touchdown. They went up 21-7 and scored two touchdowns on two fumbles.

Cameron Ward came back a few minutes later and threw a 13-yard TD to junior TE Cooper Mathers. Washington State got within seven, 21-14, and Ward was in position to actually take the lead, but he fumbled again.

Mendoza hit Ott for a 13-yard TD and Cal was back up by two touchdowns, 28-14. The Bears were expecting to go into the locker room up by 14, but the Cougars scored another touchdown at the end of the quarter..

Redshirt freshman QB John Mateer rushed in for five yards to paydirt, and the Cougars trailed by seven again. At the half, California lead 28-21.

Cal opened up the third with possesion of the ball; however, they did the same thing Washington State did to open the game…FUMBLE!. Mendoza coughed up the ball within the first minute of the second half, and WSU recovered the ball.

Redshirt junior kicker Dean Janikowski nailed a 28-yard field goal, bringing his team within four. At the end of three, California led 28-24.

Early in the fourth, Janikowski missed a FG. Cal took the ball downfield quickly into Cougars’ territry. Ott has a 52-yard run, then scored from the five yard line, putting his bears up by 11, 35-24.

Cameron Ward had the ball in his hands again trying to cut into the double-digit lead, but that did not go as planned. For the second time in the game, he fumbled and a defensive TD occured. This time junior DB Nohl Williams reached the endzone after carrying it for 52 yards. 42-24 Cal.

Ward answered back with a 212-yard TD loft to redshirt junior Josh Kelly, and they converted the two point attempt. The pulled within ten, 42-32.

Cal’s Ott fubled again, but this time the Cougars recovered the ball. Ward came right back and threw a five yard TD to RS FR RB Djouvensky Schlembaker, bringing the road team within three, 42-39.

With a chance to tie the game at 50 seconds left in the game, Janikowski missed a 48-yarder. Cal got the ball back with the chance to seal the game,

Cal could not make the clock hit zero, so the Cougars had one last chance. With :04 left on the clock, Ward’s desperation Hail Mary was picked off by the ubiquitous Cade Uluave. GAME OVER and the Bears win a close one to the cats from the Great Northwest, 42-39.

Cal wii next be in action across the Bay trying to keep possession of the Axe, as they will battle Stanford Saturday November 18 at TBD. The Cougars head back to Pullman, WA to host Coach Prime and the Colorado Buffaloes Friday, November 17 at 7:30 PDT.

Note: Cal’s Jaydn Ott rushed for 167 yards against the Cougars, and has amassed 1016 on the season. QB Fernando Mendoza, who threw two TDs himself, gave praise to his star running back. “He is spectacular, and he will be playing on Sundays.” Uttered Mendoza.

WSU’s Cameron Ward threw the ball a whopping 59 times, completing 34 for 354 yards and three touchdowns. He also had a rushing TD.

Warriors Drop Two In a Row Losing to Cleveland 118-110

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Golden State Warriors guard Chris Paul (3) get a jump shot away on the Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) in the first half at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat Nov 11, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

It was a lackluster night as the Golden State Warriors (6-4) took on the Cleveland Cavaliers (4-5) in a second game in less than a week. The Cavs won the first game 115-104 last Sunday and Golden State dropped the second game against Cleveland 115-104 Saturday night at Chase Center dropping two games in a row.

Besides a poor shooting night, the turnovers were a nightmare along with missed shots at the line and far too many fouls. There were actually 50 fouls in Saturday’s game. The game was constantly delayed with reviews and fouls resulting in an almost three hour affair. Not what the Warriors wanted to see since they play again Sunday night.

Saturday night the Warriors took on the Cavaliers at Chase Center. Last Sunday the Warriors lost to the Cavaliers in Cleveland 115-104. Saturday the Warriors were looking for a little payback.

Game recap: The first half of this game did not go well for Golden State even though they did win the opening quarter 31-30. As the first half wore on the turnovers and fouls began to mount. At the half the Warriors trailed 68-52. The Cavs won the second quarter 38-21 taking advantage of all the turnovers and fouls.

Cleveland was proving to be a handful. There were a number of scuffles on the floor that escalated in the second half. Draymond Green and Donovan Mitchell will not be exchanging holiday greetings anytime soon. Both of these players are driven and competitive and we have seen this so many times

Green and Mitchell continued this discontent into the third quarter which resulted in a technical foul which sent Green to the locker room, a major loss for Golden State. He had 8 points and five rebounds when he was ejected.

The Warriors would really have to pick up the slack in the absence of Green. They had trailed by 17 points at one time in the third but had cut the Cavalier lead to eight points 77-69 with under five minutes left in the third quarter.

The Warriors had shot at 38% from the field but the Cavaliers had outplayed Golden State so far in this game. The Warriors continued to fight back in this game as more and more physicality was displayed by both teams.

The 17 point Cleveland lead had been cut to four and could have been a lot closer had it not been for the Warriors numerous missed free throws. As the third quarter came to an end, despite all that had gone awry, Golden State trailed by a single point 84-83. The Warriors had blitzed the Cavs in the third 31-16.

It all came down to the fourth quarter in this game. Cleveland’s Dean Wade fouled out in the early minutes of the quarter in this highly competitive contest. The Cavaliers continued to push the lead out leading 92-85 at 9:27.

Warrior guard Stephen Curry had already shot for 30 points but Klay Thompson was having a quiet night so far with five points and they would need him if they wanted to try and closeout the game. The Warriors were just not shooting well and the 17 turnovers had resulted in 24 Cleveland points. With six minutes left in the game, the Cavaliers had taken a 104-92 lead.

A poor game at the line, 18 turnovers and the fouls resulted in a second loss to Cleveland 118-110. On top of it all, the Warriors, other than Curry, did not have a great shooting night. Golden State had expended so much energy coming back in the third quarter, they were spent in the later minutes of the fourth quarter.

Curry was the only player on the floor with big numbers and he began to force shots launching long balls from downtown often in the final quarter and coming up short much of the time finishing 4 of 14. Thompson began to heat up with three minutes left in the game but it was too little too late.

The Warriors will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves Sunday evening at Chase. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for another 5:30 start.