Suns edge Warriors in a Shootout 107-103; Fourth loss in a row for Golden State

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Golden State Warriors Klay Thompson driving to the basket gets the ball knocked out of his hands by the Phoenix Suns Devin Booker (1) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Thu Mar 30, 2022 (AP News photo)

Suns Edge Warriors In a Shootout – 107-103

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday night the Golden State Warriors (48-29) took on the best team in the NBA, the Phoenix Suns (62-14).

With Stephen Curry still on the sidelines the Suns were highly favored. The way this game started in the opening quarter all signs pointed toward another Sun road win. They jumped out to a quick 12-2 start. The starting roster for the Suns is a litany of stars. Chris Paul, Devon Booker, Jae Crowder, Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton. A formidable starting lineup. There was no stopping the number one team in the NBA as the Suns won in a close game 107-103 at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Thursday night.

After trailing for much of the first quarter the Warriors started to heat up and after the opening quarter the Suns held a slim 32-29 lead.

Both teams would trade the lead in the second quarter. The Suns continued to lead at the half 50-48. Despite having 14 turnovers in the first half the Warriors were hanging in this game holding the Suns to 36% shooting and only 19% shooting three’s. They had to maintain that defense in the second half.

Much of the Warriors success was due to the shooting of Jordan Poole who had 20 points in the first half. Andrew Wiggins had ten points and Golden State was waiting on Klay Thompson to come to the party. He finished the half with six points and no rebounds with one assist.

The third quarter was a wild wild west shootout with the Warriors taking a seven point lead that quickly dissolved. The Suns had a slim 77-75 lead after three. The Warriors had continued the great defense that they played with in the first half.

The fourth quarter saw a series of ties in the early minutes. The Warriors had 20 turnovers and too many empty possessions. Despite that Golden State refused to go away. With 7:30 left in the game the score was again tied at 86.

The Suns would take a 96-93 lead with 2:59 on the clock. With the great defense that Golden State had played with in this game, they needed their offense to really step up in the final minutes. Draymond Green had key play after key play in this game and was a big reason that the Warriors were still hanging around with every chance to take this game. At two minutes what else, a tie game.

The Suns had a two point lead at the half, a two point lead after three quarters and this game was up for grabs. The Warriors led 101-100 with 39.8 seconds left in this game. The Warriors needed a stop and a little offense and this game could be a wrap.

Golden State came up just short losing by four points. Empty possessions and 20 turnovers spelled disaster for the Warriors. The Warriors did so many great things in this game and it was a tough loss for them.

Poole finished the game with 38 points and this game was a great improvement over their last road trip. This was a great effort for the Warriors and they really looked like contenders in the upcoming playoffs.

The Warriors will have a few days to rest up before taking on the Utah Jazz Saturday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM.

Kings Squeeze Past the Rockets 121-118

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, right, gets the basketball around Sacramento Kings forward Justin Holiday (9) at the Toyota Center in Houston Wed Mar 30, 2022 (AP News photo)

Kings Squeeze Past the Rockets 121-118

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday night the Sacramento Kings (27-49) took on the last place Houston Rockets (20-56). This is a game that the Kings should be able to handle despite the fact that De’Aaron Fox has been ruled out with a hand injury.

Fox has been having a great season although once again the Kings will miss the playoffs. Sacramento has not seen a postseason since 2006. This is the longest drought of any team in the NBA. The Kings carried on without Fox tonight picking up their third win in their last four games at the Toyota Center in Houston 121-118 in a nail biter.

It has been another disappointing season for the Kings. Sacramento was active in February at the trade deadline. They added the two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis. We may not see Fox or Sabonis reach their potential this season.

Head Coach Alvin Gentry all but confirmed that these guys are finished for the season. So between the hand injury for Fox and a bruised left knee for Sabonis it only makes sense for these guys to look ahead to next season. These two players could provide a lethal partnership but it looks as if that will be put on hold until 2022-23.

It was a great start for the Houston Rockets leading after the first quarter 39-28.

The Kings trailed by as much as thirteen points in the second quarter. The Rockets seemed to have the momentum until something within the Kings began to click. Sacramento turned the momentum completely around taking the lead 72-66 at halftime.

With three minutes left in the half they had tied the game at 57. The Rockets began missing and the Kings began hitting shots, blocking shots and forcing turnovers. Damian Jones had 17 points and both Davion Mitchell and Trey Lyles had 16. Harrison Barnes had a quiet half and the team would need him in the third and fourth quarters.

The Kings made a move in the third quarter leading by 11 but squandered it all away leading by a slim margin 104-103 as time elapsed in the quarter. Fouls and turnovers had turned the tide in favor of the Rockets. The Kings had some work to do to close out this game.

The fourth quarter was a tough one for both teams. In the first six minutes only four points were scored between both teams combined. With 5:30 left in the game the score was tied at 108. The score remained tied for the next two minutes.

With 1:11 left in the game the Kings took a 117-113 lead. This game would go down to the wire. With 10.4 left on the clock the Kings had a 119-118 lead. Two free throws from Trey Lyles and the Kings survived the challenge from the Rockets.

The Kings starters had a great game with Lyles, Jones and Mitchell each turning in 24 points and Harrison Barnes had a much improved second half with 13 points.

Next up for the Kings as they march toward the end of the season will be another matchup with Houston on Friday. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Reign dominate overmatched Barracuda 6-3

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The San Jose Barracuda were beaten by three goals by the Ontario Reign in a Wed Mar 30, 2022 matinee at the SAP Center in San Jose (image by the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — It was an early morning mismatch.

The Ontario Reign scored every which way but loose in a 6-3 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Wednesday morning at SAP Center.

San Jose has lost five games in a row and anchor the basement of the Pacific Division with 44 points and 10 games remaining in the season. Ontario has won three out of its last four games and have clinched a playoff spot in the division as they sit in second place with 79 points.

Ontario (36-14-4-3) drew first blood just under five minutes into the first period. An odd man rush led to Akil Thomas poking home his own rebound for his second goal of the season at the 4:36 mark.

The Reign doubled its lead at the 12:45 mark of the opening frame. A shot from Thomas Hickey was cleaned up by Samuel Fagemo who banked the puck off of ‘Cuda goalie Alex Stalock into the back of the net for his 22nd goal of the season.

San Jose (20-34-2-2) responded with a late goal in the first period. Evan Weinger skated in on Reign goalie Matthew Villalta, who made the initial save on Weinger’s shot. Jasper Weatherby trailed the play and cashed in the rebound for his fourth goal of the season at the 15:50 mark.

Ontario scored a tic-tac-toe goal on the power play with just under a minute left in the first period. Thomas hammered a home a one-timer from between the faceoff circles for his second goal of the game and third of the season at the 19:02 mark.

Thomas. who hadn’t scored in his first 25 games, now has three goals in his last three games.

Ontario dominated the shot clock 18-6 in the first period.

“We’re just taking it one game a time,” said ‘Cuda head coach Roy Sommer. “We’re trying to get some wins. No one is throwing in the towel. The trade deadline hurt us a lot. Now we’re just trying to find ways to win and stay in games early if we can.”

The Reign extended its lead early in the second period. Fagemo finished off a two-on-one odd man rush when he beat Stalock with a wrist shot for his second goal of the game and 23rd of the season at the 1:30 mark.

The Reign went up a 5-1 with a shorthanded goal. 10 second into the Barracuda power play Nikita Pavlychev skated in from the left wing and beat Stalock with a wrist shot for his second goal of the season at the 8:33 mark.

San Jose scored a power play goal just past the halfway mark of the middle frame. Joachim Blichfeld wired a wrist shot to the far side off the post that beat Villata for his team leading 22nd goal of the season at the 10:41 mark.

Blichfeld’s 11th power play goal tied a franchise record.

“It’s been (an) up and down (year),” said Blichfeld about how his season individually. “Obviously you want to be playing in the NHL and that has not happened so far. You just want to go out there and show the guys at the top that you can play in the NHL.”

Aiden Dudas scored his 10th goal of the season 39 seconds into the third period. Stalock had lost his goal stick during the play and Dudas took advantage with a wrist shot to the far side that Stalock had no chance at.

San Jose cut Ontario’s lead in half when Adam Raska set up Evan Weinger in the low slot and Weinger’s one-timer beat Villata for his 12th goal of the season at the 5:27 mark.

Villata finished the game stopping 28 of the 31 shots he faced in earning the victory. Stalock made 27 saves on 33 shots in suffering his third straight loss.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-5 on the power play. Ontario was 1-for-2.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Thomas 2) Fagemo 3) T.J. Tynan

It was the second ‘Cuda Classroom Day promotion of the season for the Barracuda.

UP NEXT: San Jose begins a weekend series with the Stockton Heat on Saturday 4/2 at 6:00pm at the Stockton Arena.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Warriors host one of the NBA’s hottest teams the Suns tonight at Chase

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots over Philadelphia 76ers forward Danny Green at the Footprint Arena in Phoenix on Sun Mar 27, 2022. The Golden State Warriors host the Suns tonight at the Chase Center in San Francisco (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with David:

#1 Dave, the Golden State Warriors (48-28) have lost six of their last seven games and have lost three in a row. Its seems that when Stephen Curry is present in the line up this team is on it’s A game without him they either are in close games or as you see in their last seven games struggle to win.

#2 Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was ejected during their last game against the Memphis Grizzlies (53-23) do you see this as just frustration or Kerr really knows this team is not the same winning team they were in the first half of this season.

#3 Things don’t get any easier as the host Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns (64-14) who’ve won eight in row and defeated one of the best teams in the NBA the Philadelphia 76ers (46-29) by ten 114-104 in Phoenix. Do you see the Warriors who host the Suns having their hands full tonight at Chase Center?

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

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: Sharks face struggling Coyotes in Glendale tonight

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The San Jose Sharks right winger Timo Meier pursues the Anaheim Ducks Ryan Getzlaf (15) in the second period of Sat Mar 28, 2022 at the SAP Center in San Jose (AP News photo)

On the San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 The San Jose Sharks are playing .500 hockey face off against the Arizona Coyotes tonight at Gila River Arena in Glendale and the Coyotes are on a six game losing streak. That said there those nights when Sharks head coach Bob Boughner has to wonder which Sharks team will show up.

#2 The Sharks offense has been struggling scoring only 2.6 goals per game and can’t seem to score on the power play with 18.6 goals on the five on four advantage.

#3 The Sharks have three players that could break it open at anytime with Timo Meier with 30 goals most for the Sharks, defenceman Brent Burns with 36 assists, and Tomas Hertl has been putting shots on net with 175 this season.

#4 On the defensive side of the puck for the Sharks they have allowed 3.1 goals per game the Sharks strength on defensive they have been able to kill off the power play 84.4 percent of the time.

#5 The Sharks have been inconsistent trying to put a winning steak together and as a road team haven’t been able to successfully finish games how do you see them facing off against the Coyotes who are hungry in trying to end their long losing streak in Glendale tonight?

Join Mary Lisa for the Sharks podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings Can’t Stand The Heat: Miami cruises, snaps Sacramento’s modest win streak

Published on by moepeaLeave a comment

By Morris Phillips

Once the Heat established themselves on Monday, little space remained for the Kings to be who they are, or who they want to be for that matter.

How’s that?

“We got back to being who we are,” Miami’s Jimmy Butler said after he led the Heat to a 123-100 win over the Kings with his 27 points and seven assists. The Heat snapped a four-game slide with the win, and looked like the Eastern Conference leaders they’ve been in the latter stages of this season in the process.

Bam Adebayo also had a big night for Miami with 22 points, 15 rebounds and Tyler Herro added 20 in 29 minutes off the bench.

“Felt amazing to get back in the winning column,” Herro said.

The Kings (27-49) had their moment early, leading 6-0 briefly before the host’s grueling style wore down the visitors and their thinned rotation. Miami scored the next nine points and never looked back. Sacramento managed just 19 points in the first quarter, and they trailed by 12. The deficit grew to 16 at the half, and 25 points after three quarters. Most notably, the Kings improved defensive play took the night off as they surrendered 101 points with eight minutes left in the game.

Davion Mitchell play was once again an eye-opener for the Kings as he led them with 21 points and nine assists in 41 minutes on the floor. Drafted for his high-level, defensive intensity, the rookie continues to show polish in all facets of his performance.

“(It’s hard) playing him 40 minutes every night and guarding the best player,” coach Alvin Gentry said. “But he accepts that and goes out and does the very best he can. I think you can see the improvement, the improvement in his decision-making. The effort has always been there defensively, so we just have to continue to get better.”

Harrison Barnes added 17 points as the Kings played without the quartet of Domantas Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox, Terence Davis and Richaun Holmes for the fourth straight game. The Kings squandered an opportunity to win a third, consecutive road game and have lost 13 of 18.

The Kings conclude a five-game road swing with games at Houston on Wednesday and Friday. According to the Sacramento Bee’s Jason Anderson, an improbable 6-0 finish to the season–all against Western Conference opponents–could net the Kings the needed tie breakers to nab the 10th spot in the Western Conference. Possible, but highly unlikely as the Kings have yet to win four in a row this season.

The visit concluded Sacramento’s schedule against Eastern Conference teams. They finished 10-20 against the East, a major reason they likely will miss the playoffs for a 16th straight season.

Eagles have their way with the Barracuda in 4-0 shutout win

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Jose Barracuda center Kyle Topping (71) and his teammates suffer another loss to the visiting Colorado Eagles at the SAP Center in San Jose on Wed Mar 28, 2022 (photo by the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The Colorado Eagles scored four goals in the first period en route to a commanding 4-0 shutout victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Monday evening at SAP Center.

San Jose has lost four games in a row and remain in the cellar of the Pacific Division with 44 points. Colorado has won two games in a row.

Colorado (32-19-4-3) drew first blood past the halfway mark of the first period. Martin Kaut found Jordon Gross along the left wing. Gross lasered a wrist shot to the far side top shelf past ‘Cuda goalie Zachary Sawchenko for his 10th goal of the season at the 11:46 mark.

The Eagles doubled its lead 34 seconds later. Kiefer Sherwood set up Stefan Matteau in the slot and Matteau beat Sawchenko with a one-timer for his third goal of the season.

Colorado made San Jose pay for taking a frustration penalty just nine seconds into their first power play to score their third unanswered goal of the opening frame. Rob Hamilton blasted a slap shot to the short side for his sixth goal of the season at the 14:57 mark.

The Eagles scored its second power play goal just under two minutes later. Dylan Sikura set up Mikhail Malstev right front of the crease. Maltsev beat Sawchenko with a shot between legs for his 16th goal of the season at the 16:55 mark.

Maltsev has three goals in two games against San Jose.

“We didn’t have a whole lotta jump (in our game),” said assistant head coach Michael Chiasson. “We didn’t defend from the inside out. We didn’t bring the puck out cleanly when we had to.”

San Jose (20-33-2-2) only had six shots on goal despite having a five-on-three power play toward the end of the first period.

Neither team was able to score in the middle frame as Colorado outshot San Jose 11-9.

Special teams play haunted San Jose by giving up two power play goals and not being able to score on six opportunities with the man advantage.

“The special teams put us behind the eight ball. We didn’t generate too much on the power play,” Chiasson said.

San Jose, having played with a depleted lineup, didn’t show any desperation in the third period with just five shots on goal.

Eagles goalie Hunter Miska had a relatively easy evening as he stopped all 20 shots to earn his first shutout victory of the season. Sawchenko made 31 saves on 35 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-6 on the power play. Colorado was 2-for-4.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Gross 2) Miska 3) Jayson Megna

San Jose traded defenseman Mark Alt to the Rochester Americans for forward Mason Jobst. Alt three goals and a total of eight points for the Barracuda this season.

UP NEXT: San Jose concludes its five-game homestand when they host the Ontario Reign on Wednesday at 10:00am.

Grizzlies Pick Golden State Apart 123-95; Loss is Warriors third in a row

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Grizzlie Adams: Memphis Grizzlies’ Steven Adams (4) loses the ball as the Golden State Warriors’ Gary Payton ll, left gets a grip on it at the Fed Ex Forum in Memphis Mon Mar 28, 2022 (AP News photo)

Grizzlies Pick Golden State Apart 123-95

By Barbara Mason

It has been less than a week for the Warriors on this current road trip but it has felt like much longer. It has been a more than frustrating trip and one of the most important components for the Warriors did not accompany the team and that is the three point shot. It has been MIA.

Monday night the Warriors (48-28) played their last game of the road trip against the Memphis Grizzlies (53-23). Klay Thompson and Draymond Green did not play in this game although Andre Iguodala was able to play after a bit of an absence.

It was great to have him back on the floor The Memphis Grizzlies will still be without Ja Morant who will be re-evaluated in several weeks.

The Warriors were able to stay close in the first quarter trailing 20-16. The shots from downtown were few and far between for Golden State as were every shot they took. Both teams looked awful. The Warriors looked like a team that had played 5 games in seven days; low energy and just absolutely dragging. It had really taken a toll.

The Grizzlies came to life in the second quarter and really went to work on the Warriors. Not only were the Warriors shots from downtown missing, their entire offense was missing. They were sleepwalking through the entire first half.

The Grizzlies were picking the Warriors apart leading 63-37 at the half. The only Warrior in double digits was Jordan Poole with ten points. When you ask if this game could get any worse, the answer is yes. As the quarter came to an end Head Coach Steve Kerry was ejected in the closing seconds of the half. This was the Warriors second largest deficit this season.

The Warriors had to try to finish this game on a good note. It would take all they could muster to get some energy going because it sure looked like the tank was completely empty.

The Warriors just had to play possession to possession in the third quarter and ignore the scoreboard. Memphis continued to toy with the Warriors and continuing to extend their lead although ever so slightly.

In all fairness the Warriors scored 37 points in the first half and 30 points in the third quarter. They played a better game and the Grizzlies barely edged them in the quarter 32-30. Memphis took a 95-67 lead into the fourth quarte

As the fourth quarter came to an end the Warriors had suffered their worst loss of the season 123-95. While it was a terrible loss there were some bright spots. Jordan Poole had his 14th straight game with 20 plus points scoring 25 points in this one. The return of Andre Iguodala was another bright spot.

Right now the most important thing for the Warriors is to get home safely and regroup. This has to be the worst road trip that the team has had all season. With six games left in the regular season the sting of this road trip has to be left behind.

The team needs to get healthy and play a few games to get their rhythm and flow going into the playoffs.

Wednesday night the Warriors will be taking on the best team in the NBA, the Phoenix Suns. This will be another tough assignment for Golden State. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Proposed changes in preventing sign stealing from MLB; Union must approve proposals

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former Oakland A’s starter Mike Fiers sits by the A’s dugout was on the Houston Astros when sign stealing was taking place. Fiers reported such going ons and baseball and the players union are working on rule changes to prevent any further stealing of signs (file photo from USA Today)

On That’s Amaury podcast:

#1 Major League Baseball proposed new rules regarding electronically stolen signs which was revealed when the Houston Astros were stealing signs in the 2019 season. Mike Fiers the former A’s pitcher who was a key whistleblower that cracked the sign stealing case wide open when he was with the Houston Astros.

#2 Amongst the proposed rule changes which must be approved by the union, No more looking at scouting information in batting helmets for hitters, hitters will have to do their studying of opposing pitchers before the game in the clubhouse but cannot review opposing starters, middle relievers or closers.

#3 MLB proposed that no managers, coaches, or players may print any scouting reports that can be distributed after the first pitch of a game.

#4 MLB will allow pitchers and catchers to wear wireless pitch com devices voluntarily throughout the regular season.

#5 Amaury on the pitch com issue of wireless devices pitching stars Zack Greinke of the Kansas City Royals likes the new pitch com idea and the New York Mets Max Scherzer says he won’t use it. Both were player representatives during the MLB lockout.

#6 King Richard star Will Smith issues apology: Will Smith who starred as the father of Venus and Serena Williams as father Richard Williams in the movie King Richard who went on stage on Sunday night and slapped comedian Chris Rock issued a direct apology to Rock. Rock who was contacted by Los Angeles Police after the battery declined to press charges and has not issue any statements since the incident. The Oscars Academy has vehemently said they do not condone violence of this kind. The Academy has not issued any discipline against the Fresh Prince such as suspending him from the next Oscars Awards.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play Spanish announcer for the Oakland A’s flagship station 1010 Le Grande KIQI San Francisco and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Morris Phillips: Kings face an angry and hungry Heat club tonight in Miami

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

It wasn’t pretty Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra (left) and Jimmy Butler (22) were trying to get at each other but teammates stepped in between during game against the Golden State Warriors on Sun Mar 20, 2022 in Miami. The Heat host the Sacramento Kings tonight and Miami have lost four straight games thus far. (photo from the New York Post)

On the Kings podcast with Morris:

#1 Morris the Sacramento Kings (27-48) have shown a lot of improvement over their last three games winning two out of three. The Kings going into tonight’s game in Miami have defeated the Indiana Pacers and the Orlando Magic their getting key help from Davion Mitchell, Harrison Barnes and Donte DiVincenzo.

#2 This game tonight might be more of a challenge for the Kings as the Miami Heat (47-28) have lost four in a row and Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra and Jimmy Butler who verbally spared in a recent loss are angry and hungry for a win.

#3 The Kings have a 11-25 road record and are ninth in the Western Conference with 100.5 points. Like we said they have improved over their last three games nearly beating one of the best teams in the NBA. The Heat will be fired up tonight after losing four straight the Kings will need to be on their A game on both sides of the basketball tonight.

#4 The Heat took loses against the Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and in their last game against the Brooklyn Nets. Looking at this this has to be shocking for a second place Eastern Conference team.

#5 The Kings Domantas Sabonis is out with a left knee which does not have any structural damage after going through an MRI last week. Sabonis is up for reevaluation this week. Morris they could use a guy like Sabonis in the line up tonight against the Heat.

Join Morris Phillips for the Sacramento Kings podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com