Warriors Top Lakers In Epic Victory 117-115

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The Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) takes a jump shot against the Los Angles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat Feb 12, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Top Lakers In Epic Victory 117-115

By Barbara Mason

Saturday night the Golden State Warriors (42-15) met the Los Angeles Lakers (26-31) at Chase Center in an effort to avoid their third loss in a row, something that has not happened this season.

Starting for the Warriors tonight will be Wiggins, Curry. Thompson, Looney and Kuminga. The Lakers come into this game with a lot of fire power led by LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis. While nowhere near the bench that the Warriors have, the Lakers do have Talen Horton- Tucker in reserve. The Warriors avoided being defeated a third straight time with a two point win over the Lakers 117-115.

After one quarter the Warriors had a 32-26 lead in a very competitive game. As expected LeBron James dominated the game for his team. The problem for the Lakers was that they had James dominating but Golden State was getting great offense from Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson and Jonathan Kuminga. It was just to much for the Lakers to handle.

The Warriors had a fourteen point lead in the second quarter but the lakers fought back to cut that lead to two points with a single minute left in the half. At halftime the Warrios held a slim lead 65-62.

Curry had 17 points in the half followed by 16 points in 16 minutes for rookie Jonathan Kuminga. In his last game against the Knicks Kuminga had 17 points for the game and at the half in this game with 16 he was a good bet to have his highest scoring performance this season. At one point in the first quarter after a crazy Kuminga shot Juan Toscano-Anderson shouted out to him “Your a bad dud”. This team just loves their rookie.

As expected James had a nice first half with 18 points followed by Westbrook with 10 points.

A hotly contested third quarter saw the Lakers take the lead after the Warriors led by as much as fifteen with under two minutes left 88-87. As the quarter came to an end the lead by the Warriors remained slim 95-94 and going into the fourth quarter this was anyone’s game.

One of the craziest 12 minutes of basketball got underway in the fourth quarter as Thompson recorded his first 30 plus points since his return. With 46 ticks left on the clock Curry gave the Warriors a three-point lead in an absolute barn burner 117-114. It came down to 7.3 seconds and the ball in the hands of the Lakers. There was one last chance for the Lakers as LeBron was fouled by Curry outside.

He missed the first free throw and that was the game. “The grit was exceptional tonight” said former Warrior Adonal Foyle after the game. Especially since Golden State did not score in the first four minutes of the fourth quarter.

The Warriors had five players with double digits. Thompson had the high score for both teams with 33 points. Curry finished with 24 points and Jordan Poole had 11 points off the bench.

The Warriors go back on the road for their Monday night match-up with the Clippers. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM PT.

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Did Marchand get off lightly on six game suspension; Kakko listed day to day for Rangers; plus more

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The Boston Bruins Brad Marchand delivers a gloved right punch into Pittsburgh Penguin goaltender Tristan Jarry’s right jaw during NHL game on Tue Feb 8, 2022 in Pittsburgh (photo from the Boston Globe)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 Matt, on Tue 8th the Boston Bruins Brad Marchand who has had previous suspensions and fines for misconduct. On Tuesday Marchand sucker punched Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry in the jaw while the goaltender was on his knees after freezing the puck. After the linesman grabbed hold of Marchand while skating him off the ice they got in front of the net where Marchand raised his stick and caught Jarry in the chin area well after play had ended.

#2 Seeing how the play went is Marchand’s six game suspension a light penalty considering it was a double match penalty or is a roughing, misconduct and double match penalty a six game suspension according to the CBA?

#3 The New York Rangers Kappo Kakko will be out at least one more month with an upper body injury. Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant says that Kakko is day to day. Kakko felt discomfort while skating in warm ups back on Jan 22nd against the Arizona Coyotes. Kakko has 33 goals and is tied with the Edmonton Oilers Leon Draisaittl, Edmonton Oilers for the NHL lead.

#4 Evgeni Malkin whose been out for Covid 19 protocols has missed two games on Tuesday and Thursday. Malkin skated with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday and will be a game time decision on Sunday according to head coach Mike Sullivan.

#5 The Boston Bruins Patrice Bergeron will is listed day to day due to an upper body injury and won’t be able to play tonight against the Ottawa Senators. Bergeron had a collision with the Penguins Sid Crosby at 8:44 during the third period Tuesday in a 4-2 loss.

Join Matt for the NHL podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings big second half overtake Wizards 123-110

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Washington Wizards forward Corey Kispert (24) drives to the net against Sacramento Kings guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) at the Capital One Arena in Washington on Sat Feb 12, 2022 (AP News photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

WASHINGTON, DC. — Two games after their big blockbuster trade, Cap City is looking to have the last laugh.

The Sacramento Kings outscored the Washington Wizards 64-45 in the second half to cruise to a 123-110 victory on Saturday evening at Capital One Arena.

Sacramento has won two out of its last three games and sit one and a half games back of 10th place in the Western Conference, the final spot for the play in game. Washington has lost three out of its past four games.

De’Aaron Fox opened up the game with six straight points. Newly acquired Domantas Sabonis also had three easy dunks in the first quarter for the Kings.

Washington (25-30) went on a six-zero run to end the first quarter as the led 29-24 at the end of the opening 12 minutes.

Kyle Kuzma scored 11 of his 17 first half points in the second quarter as Washington jumped out to their biggest lead of the half 50-37 on an 8-0 run with 5:32 remaining in the second quarter.

The Wizards had 17 points off of nine Kings turnovers in the first half.

Sacramento (22-36) closed out the quarter on a 21-15 run to close the gap to 65-59 at halftime. Maurice Harkless led the charge for the Kings with 15 first half points, including three for three from three-point range.

It was all Kings in the third quarter as they dominated the Wizards as they outscored them by 10, 33-23 to erase a six-point deficit. Sparked by a 16-4 run in just under five minutes late in the quarter, Sacramento had its biggest lead at 90-84 with two minutes remaining when Chimezie Metu hit a three pointer. Harrison Barnes paced the Kings with 11 points in the quarter.

Sacramento opened up the fourth quarter on 15-8 run in the first three minutes as they extended to its biggest lead at 11 points at 107-96. Fox took charge as he scored seven points in a row for the Kings.

The Kings closed out the game on 17-12 in the final four minutes.

Fox led all scorers with 26 points to go along with four assists and two rebounds. Barnes finished with 21 and Sabonis with 16 points respectively. Harkless also had 17 points as all five starters finished in double digits.

Kuzma led the Wizards in scoring with 22 points to go along with his eight rebounds and seven assists. Corey Kispert chipped in with 20 points.

GAME NOTES: Sacramento finished 12-for-28 from beyond the arc. Washington was 13-for-38.

UP NEXT: Sacramento continues its three-game road trip on Monday 2/14 as they take on the Brooklyn Nets at 4:30pm at Barclay’s Center.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: NHL teams zeroing in on Hertl; GM Will says Sharks looking forward to negotiating with Hertl

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The San Jose Sharks Tomas Hertl (48) is thrilled after scoring a first period goal against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle on Thu Jan 20, 2022. Hertl is rumored to potentially to be sought by a number of teams. The NHL trade deadline is Mon Mar 21, 2022 (AP News photo file)

On the Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 Len, from all aspects the San Jose Sharks will could get some players for the future or a key player for Tomas Hertl but Sharks interim general manager Joe Will says he doesn’t want to do anything else outside of contract negotiations concerning Hertl.

#2 Hertl has said that he would even take less money to stay in San Jose and go somewhere else and play and play out his full financial potential when he could go all out in San Jose for the rest of his playing days.

#3 The Sharks and other teams pursuing Hertl are aware that Hertl at 6’3 presents a player who executes on the power play and penalty kill. Hertl also can score 30 goals a season, handles the center position as one of the best in the league. However things turn out Hertl is a presence.

#4 Other issues that Will will be dealing with is former Shark Evander Kane’s grievance regarding his termination from the team, general manager Doug Wilson is away for a persistent cough, Kevin Labanc and Nikolai Knyzhov’s are out with injuries, could William Eklund return this season, and head coach Bob Boughner will he be back after this season?

#5 The Sharks take on the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night at SAP Center and the return of former Shark Evander Kane. What kind of reception do you see him getting on Monday and do you see him playing with a little extra against his former teammates?

Join Len for the San Jose Sharks podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Bears Find Safe Passage On The Oregon Trail: Cal completes rare road sweep, shocks the Ducks, 78-64

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By Morris Phillips

More than 200 years after the Oregon Trail was established, there were the Golden Bears trapping opponents, and trading their tarnished reputations for new ones draped in respect on Super Bowl weekend.

Yes, winning first at Oregon State, then shocking the NCAA-hopeful Oregon Ducks, 78-64 on Saturday afternoon demands some historical perspective for Cal hoops. The first win for the Bears in Eugene since 2014 was also was biggest win in coach Mark Fox’s tenure in Berkeley. The embattled coach’s remarks afterwards slyly interpreted the occasion.

“This isn’t about me,” Fox said. “This is about trying to re-establish Cal basketball. We came here expecting to win.”

Getting the opportunity to say what you wouldn’t dare say before you stop a crippling, 10-game losing streak is wholly satisfying. Getting to say it in a manner that defends your methods and personality even more so. Fox earned that opportunity on Saturday, and selflessly spread the wealth.

“During that stretch, you find out who’s with you and who’s not,” Fox said of the losing streak’s effect on his team. “And those kids in there never wavered.”

What the Bears accomplished on Saturday was nothing less than shocking in its manner and impact. After a leisurely start that saw the visitors fall behind 12-5, a timeout hatched a 24-0 run that had Cal in control, leading 29-12 with 7:19 remaining before the break. During the timeout, Fox reiterated to his club not to force the issue at the rim with the athletic Ducks, but instead take what Oregon’s zone look would afford.

“We said, take the midrange jumper,” Fox said of his message. “It’s still a good shot in basketball.”

Jordan Shepherd connected from the free throw line extended first, then less than a minute later, Kuany Kuany buried a jumper from nearly the same spot. Sam Alajiki hit a 3, then Lars Thiemann followed with a layup while fouled, and he hit the following free throw.

On the other end, Oregon (16-8, 9-4) committed a pair of turnovers, then missed two 3-pointers. Their Matthew Knight Arena crowd grew quiet, and Cal kept up the onslaught. Ultimately, the Ducks would misfire 10 consecutive shots, and the 3’s that had carried them–Oregon leads the Pac-12 in shooting percentage from distance at 36 percent–would be their worst enemy. Against Cal, the Ducks were 5 for 27 from distance.

“We came out and gave them easy baskets to start the game,” OU coach Dana Altman said. “They got rolling, and we could never get it stopped. And then on offense our ball movement wasn’t good, we missed some open shots and maybe tightened up a bit.”

Shepherd led the Bears (11-15, 4-11) with 33 points on 9 for 15 shooting from the floor. No one else was in double-digits for Cal, Grant Anticevich, Jalen Celestine and Makale Foreman each scored eight points.

The Bears enjoyed a healthy advantage on the glass early, limiting the Ducks to one shot on most possessions. The final rebounding numbers were 36-31 for Cal, but the first half, when the game was decided, greatly favored Cal.

The Bears shot 53 percent for the game, and didn’t allow themselves to be hurt by their 17 turnovers once they gained control.

On Thursday, the Bears get the unique opportunity to further reiterate their resurgence in a meeting with Colorado on Thursday at 6:30pm at Haas Pavilion.

Barracuda suffer sixth straight defeat in 4-2 loss to Gulls

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San Jose Barracuda can’t keep up with the San Diego Gulls on Fri Feb 11, 2022 at Pachanga Arena in San Diego (image by the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Gulls did just enough to defeat the San Jose Barracuda 4-2 on Friday evening at the Pechanga Arena San Diego.

San Jose has lost a season worst six games in a row. San Diego has won two out of its past three games.

The opening 20 minutes was deadlocked at zero as teams looked like they had a week off as they used the first period to shake off of some of the rust in their first game back since the all-star break.

Both teams found their legs in a wild second period that featured a combined five goals.

San Diego (15-20-2-0) drew first blood early in the middle frame. Hunter Drew scored his seventh goal of the season at the 2:38 mark. Jack Badini and Jacob Larsson help set up the game’s opening goal.

San Jose (14-25-1-0) answered back on the next shift just 21 seconds later. Adam Raska set up Evan Weinger who scored his eighth goal of the season at the 2:59 mark.

The game went back and forth as all five goals were scored before the midway mark of the period.

The Gulls regained the lead when Brent Gates Jr. scored his third goal of the season at the 4:27 mark. Vinni Lettieri and Brendan Guhle were credited with helpers.

The Barracuda responded under four minutes later when Jayden Halbgewachs scored his 12th goal of the season at the 8:02 mark. Jasper Weatherby received the only assist on Halbgewachs’ goal.

Halbgewachs has scored a goal in four straight contests.

San Diego answered back immediately as Gates Jr. scored his second goal of the game just 17 seconds later at the 8:19 mark. Kodie Curran and former ‘Cuda defenseman Trevor Carrick set up Gates Jr. fourth goal of the season.

San Jose tried for the equalizer late in the third period when they pulled goalie Alexei Melnichuk for an extra attacker, but San Diego held down the fort as time expired.

Greg Printz iced the game for San Diego with an empty net goal, his fifth of the season, with 43 seconds remaining in the game.

Gulls’ goalie Lukas Dostal had an impressive evening in between the pipes as he stopped 43 of the 45 shots he faced to earn the victory. Melnichuk made 18 saves on 21 shots in suffering the loss.

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

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Gates Jr. 2) Dostal 3) Drew

UP NEXT: San Jose returns home to host San Diego on Wednesday 2/16 at 7:00pm at SAP Center.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Outspoken Celtics Center traded and then Waived

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Enes Kanter Freedom as he appeared on the cover of the New Yorker was vocal about China and it’s politics was traded from the Boston Celtics to the Houston Rockets later to be released by Houston and is now out of the NBA (photo by the New Yorker)

Outspoken Celtics Center traded and then Waived

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Enes Kanter Freedom is a good solid pro-basketball player, but we are living during days when free speech has become a liability and not something that should be cherish and respected. Kanter Freedom was traded to the Houston Rockets and soon immediately waived by the Rockets, ahead of the NBA trade deadline.

He has been a critic of China and their abuses of human rights (something that is also part of the narrative of the current Winter Olympics) in Beijing, China, which many are calling the “Genocide Olympics” where US imposed a diplomatic boycott).

The trade, which includes other players aside from Enes Freedom, could just be a coincidence? Or does it makes more sense to come to the simplest of conclusions that the very lucrative NBA associate with the Chinese market was the main reason he got this treatment.

Last month co-owner minority billionaire of the Golden State Warriors Chamath Palihapitiya during an interview said “nobody cares about the Uyghur genocide in China”, then later apologized after being widely slammed for his remarks. Who knows, maybe the NBA now considers Freedom toxic?

The trade was made between the Houston Rockets, going nowhere this year with a 15-40 record and the Boston Celtics positioned to be in the postseason with a 31-25 record. The trade was made official as Houston traded center Daniel Theis to Boston in exchange for guard Dennis Schroeder, center Bruno Fernando, and center Enes Kanter Freedom. Theis spent his first 3 years in the NBA with the Boston Celtics.

As a player (who recently became a Naturalized American citizens and added Freedom to his name) Enes Kanter Freedom, has become an outspoken critic of China and Turkey and has voiced his opinions on several other social issues.

He was not a superstar player and was not getting a lot play recently, but as any American citizen he is entitled to his opinion. He told the Boston Globe, how much he has learned as an American. Nobody knows if he will be picked up by another NBA team. I can only hope and pray we always honor and respect the First Amendment, a key component of our democracy. Where I was born such thing doesn’t exist.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Daniel Dullum: Cardinal face Oregon State Saturday after 68-60 loss at Corvallis

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Oregon forward Quincy Guerrier (13) kept Stanford forward Jaiden Delaire (11) and guard Michael O’Connell (5) on the run on defense on Thu Feb 10, 2022 at Eugene (AP News photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast:

#1 Stanford Cardinal (14-10) tried to keep up with the Oregon Ducks (16-7) and made a it a good game but lost by eight 68-60 in Eugene on Thursday night.

#2 Oregon guard De’Vion Harmon led the Ducks with 21 points knowing Stanford head coach Jerod Haase he would like the defense to shut down a shooter like Harmon but he was tough to defend on Thursday night.

#3 The Ducks Will Richardson executed all of his 12 points in the last ten minutes of the game the Cardinal tried to get back in this one but Richardson was one of those shooters who kept persevering.

#4 The Ducks defense was on the Cardinal had three players in double figures but fell short Michael O’Connell led with 11 points followed by Brandon Angel and Harrison Ingram who both had 10 points.

#5 The Cardinal head to Corvallis to face the Oregon State Beavers (3-18) who were just defeated on Wednesday night by the Cal Bears (10-15) in a close one 63-61. How do you see the Cardinal matching up against the Beavers on Saturday night a 7:30 pm tip off.

Daniel Dullum does the Stanford Cardinal podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Ducks hold off Cardinal 68-60; fourth loss in six games for Stanford

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Oregon center N’Faly Dante (1) shoots over Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud (42) at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene on Thu Feb 10, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Thursday, February 10, 2022

Sparked by a season-high 21 points by De’Vion Harmon, Oregon defeated Stanford 68-60 Thursday in Pac-12 men’s basketball at Eugene, Ore.

It was the Cardinal’s third game in five days, and seventh of eight games over a 17-day period.
Harmon was 8-of-15 from the field, including three 3-pointers for the Ducks (16-7 overall, 9-3 Pac-12).

Along with Harmon’s efforts, Will Richardson scored all 12 of his points in the second half. N’Faly Dante added 12 points and seven rebounds for Oregon.

Maxime Raynaud and Michael O’Connell each scored 11 points to lead the Cardinal (14-10, 7-7), followed by Harrison Ingram and Brandon Angel with 10 points each.

Angel had his first career double-double by also pullng down 10 rebounds in Stanford’s second straight loss to Quadrant One teams in the NET rankings.

The Ducks led by eight at halftime and opened the second half with an 8-2 run, capped by a Dante dunk.

The Cardinal held Oregon without a field goal over the next six minutes, but didn’t muster much offense themselves, as the Ducks maintained a five-point lead when Richardson’s basket midway through the second half ended their drought.

Raynaud cut Stanford’s deficit to three with a basket on its next possession, but that was as close as the Cardinal would get. After Ingram missed a 3 with 35 seconds left, Richardson made four straight free throws.

Overall, Oregon made 13 of 15 from the foul line, while the Cardinal made 4 of 4. Stanford committed 17 turnovers.

Stanford visits Oregon State on Saturday; tip-off is at 7:30 p.m.

Knicks Edge Warriors For a Second Loss In a Row 116-114

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It’s written all over Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry’s face how could this happen as the Warriors lose their second straight game to the New York Knicks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Thu Feb 10, 2022 (AP News photo)

Knicks Edge Warriors For a Second Loss In a Row 116-114

By Barbara Mason

The Golden State Warriors (41-15) were back at Chase Center tonight taking on the Knicks (25-31) after getting shellacked by the Utah Jazz last night. The Warriors who dropped their second straight game this time to the Knicks in a close contest 116-114.

The good news for Golden State is that Klay Thompson was in Thursday’s lineup. The team badly needed him Wednesday night although it might have not been enough to get past the Jazz. The Warriors just ran out of steam in the third and fourth quarters in a very uncharacteristic level of play. Empty possessions, turnovers and lackadaisical play was the order of the day in that game. They couldn’t buy a basket.

Starters Thursday night alongside Thompson will be Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Kevon Looney and wonderkid Jonathan Kuminga.

Tonight the Warriors will try to get back on track against New York. The Knicks are coming off loses to the Lakers, the Jazz and the Nuggets last tuesday night so they are having a rough road trip. They are struggling offensively.

The Warriors fell behind in the opening quarter and trailed 33-28 as it came to an end. The Knicks had a great offensive effort in the first quarter and it looked like Golden State might have a struggle on their hands. New York is a great rebounding team with their size. Julius Randle had 11 rebounds in the first half.

After trailing in the second quarter by seven points the Warriors took a slim lead in the final minutes of the quarter extra possessions and second chance points by the Knicks were a huge reason for the Knicks success and was having a big impact on the game.

The final minutes of the half were all Warriors. With only one turnover in the quarter Golden State was taking more shots and at the half had a 62-57 lead. The best news of all for the Warriors was no points on turnovers which has been an issue for them in the past.

The halftime lead slipped away in the third quarter as the Knicks scored 11 unanswered points. After losing three road games this was a hungry Knicks team that was having a huge game so far. The Knicks outscored the Warriors in the quarter 31-20 taking a lead into the fourth quarter.

The Warriors were struggling from deep going 14 of 44 trailing 102-94 with under seven minutes left in the game. This game would go down to the wire. With 6.2 seconds left in the game the Warriors had the ball but trailed 116-114. Thompson had a good look in the paint but came up short and the Knicks held off the Warriors for their second loss in a row. This is only the second time this year that the Warriors have lost two games in a row.

The Knicks had a great offensive and defensive game. Randle had a tremendous game with 28 points and 16 rebounds.

Curry had a great game with 35 points but was five of 16 from outside. Kuminga and Thompson both finished with 17 points.

Saturday night Golden State will meet the Lakers. They are hoping to avoid three losses in a row which would be a first this season. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30.