Kings pick up second win in eight games; Defeat Thunder 113-103

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Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes (40) guards Oklahoma City Thunder forward Darius Bazley (7) at the Golden One Center in Sacramento on Sat Feb 5, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings (20-35) were back in action on Saturday after a day off on Friday. The Kings last played on Friday when they took on the Golden State Warriors. The Kings lost that game by the final of 126-114 as they struggled to contain the Warriors.

On Saturday, the Kings welcomed to Sacramento the Oklahoma City Thunder (17-35). Tip-off was set for 7 PM PST at Golden One Center. The Kings defeated the Thunder 113-103 at home.

In the first quarter, the Kings offense came out shooting. On the other hand, the defense didn’t look great. The Kings allowed the Thunder to score 30 points in the first quarter.

The Kings offense did enough work on the other hand though to take a first-quarter lead. The Kings outscored the Thunder 36-30 in the first to take the early lead. The Kings would look to build on that in the second quarter.

In the second quarter, the Kings played a solid quarter. They weren’t able to expand the lead much but they didn’t lose it either. The Kings outscored the Thunder 29-27 in the second quarter as the lead going into half expanded by one point.

The Kings went into the locker room up 64-57. Moe Harkless scored 16 points in the first half as did Harrison Barnes. Josh Giddey led the way for the Thunder scoring 11 points. The Kings would look to seal the deal in the second half.

In the third quarter, the Kings continued to be just a little bit better than the opposition. The Kings outscored the Thunder 25-22 in the third quarter. The Kings hadn’t really pulled away in the game but you could sense they were right on the brink of pulling away. Could the Kings pull away in the fourth quarter and seal the win? They led heading to the final 12 minutes 89-79.

In the final quarter, the Kings and Thunder played a very even quarter. The Kings and Thunder both scored 24 points in the fourth quarter. The Kings took advantage in the early minutes as the Thunder battled back in the later minutes. Ultimately the Kings would win the game 113-103. It was the Kings second win in a row at home.

The Kings were led by Harrison Barnes who scored 24 points. Josh Giddey for the Thunder scored 24 points in defeat as they fell to 17-35 on the season. The Kings record improved to 20-35 as they continue to push for a playoff spot.

Up Next: The Kings welcome in the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday at 7 PM PST.

A Missed Shot Here, A Failed Pass There: Cal comes up short in 68-64 loss to Washington State

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY–The narrowest of Cal’s ten consecutive losses was going to be agonizing under any circumstances, but losing streaks unearth patterns, and the Bears showed their stripes in Saturday’s 68-64 loss to Washington State.

Missed shots, failed passes, empty offensive possessions continue to plague the Bears, whether they commit those errors repeatedly or sparingly, as was the case in a four-point loss to the Cougars that the hosts could have pushed to overtime with a timely bucket in the game’s final minute.

Instead–without the benefit of a timeout to gain composure–Joel Brown got to an advantageous spot on the floor, but missed a nine-footer that was awkwardly released.

Coach Mark Fox referenced the final three minutes, but his team’s 14 turnovers, 14 missed 3’s and 15 fouls–six more than WSU committed–took place over the entirety of the 40 minutes. The biggest of the those mistakes may have been a turnover at mid-court to start the second half, which prompted Fox to call a timeout just 13 seconds in.

“We got a little bit to casual, and that led to a turnover,” said Fox. “All of the little things matter.”

On Cal’s second possession of the half, Kuany Kuany backed down his defender with a lack of urgency, and without an advantage, and the 6’9″ forward was whistled for an offensive foul. In essence, Cal’s afternoon was short circuited in the first two offensive trips after halftime, not in the final minutes, as Fox claimed.

While the root cause of Cal’s defeat may be cause for debate, the reason the Cougars snatched the win was obvious. Washington State has undeniable, offensive acumen typified on Saturday by diminutive guard Michael Flowers.

Flowers, one of the most sought after players to emerge from the transfer portal in the off-season, put up 21 points, making his first, four 3-point attempts, along with four, consecutive made free throws in the game’s final 30 seconds. Early in the second half, Flowers attacked the basket with two Cal defenders waiting, and emerged with a nifty layup on an up-and-under move.

Coach Kyle Smith has turned diminutive guards with offensive talent into stars at Washington State and before that, at USF. He summed up Flower’s contributions while unconsciously hinting at what Cal currently lacks.

“That’s what good players do, they secure rebounds, and make free throws, put those games away, close them out,” Smith said.

The Cougs (14-7, 7-3) captured their first road sweep of Stanford and Cal since 1993. Efe Abogidi contributed 17 points, 11 rebounds and Tyrell Roberts added 12 points.

Cal got a career-best 20 points from Jalen Celestine, along with 16 points, four rebounds from Grant Anticevich in 36 minutes off the bench. Jordan Shepherd was the only Cal starter to score in double figures, but he was 5 for 18 from the floor for 10 points.

Kuany and Sam Alajiki went scoreless after their minutes were curtailed despite both being in the starting lineup.

The Bears (9-15, 2-11) get time to reset before traveling to Oregon for contests with the OSU Beavers on Thursday and Oregon on Saturday.

Metropolitan beats Central, 5-3, wins NHL All-Star Game

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Photo credit: Shawn McCullough (Sports Radio Service)

By Shawn McCullough

The Eastern Conference’s Metropolitan Division defeated the Western Conference’s Central Division, 5-3, to win the 2022 NHL All-Star Game in Las Vegas.

Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux took home the All-Star Game MVP, scoring two goals in the final game, while New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes added a goal and an assist.

“Obviously when you win an All-Star Game, it’s fun,” said Giroux. “It’s funny how everybody was just on the same page today and we never played together before.”

The 11 Metropolitan Division players will split $1 million for winning the All-Star Game ($90,909.09).

In the first semifinal game, The Metropolitan Division (Eastern Conference) defeated the Pacific Division (Western Conference), 6-4.

Hughes led the Metropolitan Division with two goals, while Pittsburgh Penguins LW Jake Guentzel added a goal and an assist. 

“I had a great time,” said Hughes. “It was nice that I scored and stuff, but just a special weekend.”

In the second semifinal game, the Central Division (Western Conference) beat the Atlantic Division (Eastern Conference), 8-5.

The Central Division was led by Austin Matthews, Jonathan Huberdeau and Rasmus Dahlin, who each had a goal and an assist.

Rosters:

PACIFIC DIVISION

F Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton (3rd)
F Jordan Eberle, Seattle (2nd)
F Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary (6th)
F Adrian Kempe, Los Angeles (1st)
F Connor McDavid, Edmonton (5th)
F Timo Meier, San Jose (1st)
F Mark Stone, Vegas (1st)
F Troy Terry, Anaheim (1st)
D Alex Pietrangelo, Vegas (3rd)
G John Gibson, Anaheim (3rd)
G Thatcher Demko, Vancouver (1st)

Coach: Peter DeBoer, Vegas

CENTRAL DIVISION

F Kyle Connor, Winnipeg (1st)
F Alex DeBrincat, Chicago (1st)
F Nazem Kadri, Colorado (1st)
F Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota (1st)
F Clayton Keller, Arizona (2nd)
F Jordan Kyrou, St. Louis (1st)
F Joe Pavelski, Dallas (4th)
D Roman Josi, Nashville (4th)
D Cale Makar, Colorado (1st)
G Juuse Saros, Nashville (1st)
G Cam Talbot, Minnesota (1st)

Coach: Jared Bednar, Colorado

ATLANTIC DIVISION

F Patrice Bergeron, Boston (3rd)
F Jonathan Huberdeau, Florida (2nd)
F Dylan Larkin, Detroit (2nd)
F Auston Matthews, Toronto (4th)
F Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay (7th)
F Nick Suzuki, Montreal (1st)
F Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa (2nd)
D Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo (1st)
D Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay (3rd)
G Jack Campbell, Toronto (1st)
G Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay (4th)

Coach: Andrew Brunette, Florida

METROPOLITAN DIVISION

F Sebastian Aho, Carolina (2nd)
F Claude Giroux, Philadelphia (7th)
F Jake Guentzel, Pittsburgh (1st)
F Jack Hughes, New Jersey (1st)
F Evgeny Kuznetsov, Washington (2nd)
F Chris Kreider, N.Y. Rangers (2nd)
F Tom Wilson, Washington
D Adam Pelech, N.Y. Islanders (1st)
D Zach Werenski, Columbus (2nd)
G Frederik Andersen, Carolina (2nd)
G Tristan Jarry, Pittsburgh (2nd)

Coach: Rod Brind’Amour, Carolina

NHL All-Star Game podcast with Matt Harrington: Pavelski wins card shooting competition; Kyrou is NHL’s fastest skater; plus more

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The St Louis Blues Jordan Kyrou shows his wares as the NHL’s fastest skater with a 13.550 beating out former fastest skater the Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid at the NHL All Star skills contest at T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (photo from nhl.com)

NHL All-Star Game podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 Matt, I have to open the show by asking you about Austin Matthews Toronto Blue Leafs, Joe Pavelski Dallas Stars, Nazem Kadri Colorado Avalanche, Steven Stamkos Tampa Bay Lightning, and Brady Tkachuk Ottawa Senators all took shots at the cards in front of the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas they were dealing with Pavelski the winner what was your impression of the contest.

#2 Matt, the Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid got knocked out of the fast skating competition finishing fourth the St Louis Blues Jordan Kyrou won as fastest skater with a 13.550 snapping McDavid’s three year win steak as All Star fastest skills skater.

#3 Due to Covid 19 restrictions the 2022 NHL Draft. Attendance limits will move the draft out of Montreal in July as the league is worried about how the limits will impact revenue. As of right now anyone traveling to Canada needs a 24 hour negative test plus being boosted.

#4 Matt, here’s something special for you the NHL has announced that they will have the next Winter Classic will be held at Fenway Park in Boston. The league or the Bruins have not announced who will be the opponent in the 2023 Classic.

#5 The Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jack Campbell and Andrei Vasilevskiy goaltender of the Tampa Bay Lightning both stopped the Metropolitan shooters during the skills contest talk about the contest for both Campbell and Vasilevskiy and the kind goaltenders that they are.

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

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Meier earned every bit of his All Star selection in Vegas

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San Jose Sharks right wing Timo Meier (28) waves to the SAP Center crowd in San Jose against the Los Angeles Kings on Mon Jan 17, 2022 when Meier scored five goals in one game (AP News file photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Len we’ve been remote from the T Mobile Center in Las Vegas for the NHL All Star game and representing the San Jose Sharks is Timo Meier.

#2 Former Sharks head coach Peter DeBoer who coached Meier said of Meier that when you draft somebody as high as Meier DeBoer said he was everything you expected him to be.

#3 Meier has 21 goals and 26 assists in the first half of the season and has been a huge part of the Sharks offense and one of the big reasons for some of those key Sharks wins.

#4 Meier also has had a number hat tricks and there was the one game when Meier scored not only a hat trick but topped it with five goals against the Los Angeles Kings on Martin Luther King Day on Jan 17th at SAP Center in San Jose.

#5 Len, DeBoer who is the current head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights says that he’s proud of the work that Meier has done says he’s worked at his game and is coachable and DeBoer added he really enjoyed coaching him.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB Negotiations: Billionaires vs Millionaires, and for the rest, “Let them Eat Cake”

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Not much headway between MLB and the MLB Players Association as both sides remain deadlocked. With arms crossed MLB Players Association executive Tony Clark (file photo New York Times)

MLB Negotiations: Billionaires vs Millionaires, and for the rest, “Let them Eat Cake”

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

The negotiations between owners and players associations/MLPA in New York City, ended on Friday. Thursday MLB proposed that a Federal Mediator will be appointed, today the players rejected it. Everybody went home, have a nice weekend everybody, see you Monday!

Thousands of people depend on baseball during the season, from regular ushers at the parks, to independent contractors that sell merchandise inside the park, parking attendants, to people that work in the maintenance of the park from ground crew to electricians and just regular laborers, people that clean and many others.

Most people do not realize that most players do not play in their hometown, temporary housing has to be found, housekeepers, babysitters, schools for the kids, and the infrastructure for your temporary home during the season. A lot of logistics.

Team’s staff, personnel that is only hired during the season, not ‘year round’ is affected. Television and radio technicians that are employed also game by game, season by season, broadcasters who do not have necessarily have an ‘iron clad’ contract or get paid regardless if there are games or not are affected.

Not every technician and/or broadcaster is represented by a Union; some teams do not hire union people but free-lancers. Local revenues in television and radio broadcasts in baseball are seriously affected. In some markets some radio stations do not produce the games, but they sell time to the teams, who then hire their own people to broadcast the games or in some other cases, it is not “clear” who the broadcasters really work for.

When Billionaires fight against Millionaires and there is an impasse, there is a perception by the public at large that they do not care about the regular “humans” that have to work eight or more hours for a living.

Not to mention the huge economic impact on each city and most stadiums. Example: the thriving business community around San Francisco Giants Oracle Park, some of those business need the baseball season, they are just blocks and around the park and depend on each season for the foot traffic and customers.

Spring Training (economy) barring a miracle of a very quick agreement, Spring Training in Arizona and Florida will not start on time. It is scheduled for mid-February. I have been traveling to the Phoenix, Arizona area for decades, the 15 teams that train there each year bring tourism from all over the country, thousands of fans go to see their teams, and many take vacations.

I have met many fans throughout the years that are the famous “snowbirds” they travel down from Illinois, Minnesota and those cold States during this time of the year for the sunny and perfect weather of the Arizona desert (just try to buy a ticket for a Cubs game) in February and March.

Same happens in Florida where the other 15 teams trains each year, these cities economies are also affected. Spring Training has become so popular that you must reserve a hotel in December if you want to have a room, and some hotel chains they take your reservation six months in advance.

To what limit are the owners and players willing to go? Do they know they are risking the total destruction of the industry and the amount of damage that will inflict to communities across the country?

This Collective Bargaining Agreement is at a key moment for the health of this sport. This is not 1994 when the last strike took place. In fact social media came about in 1997, recently Facebook has broadcast live games, and You Tube is also coming soon.

It took four years after the 1994 strike for baseball fans to come back. In 1998 the McGwire vs. Sosa home-run race, brought back the interest for many fans, even the most cynical of fans “returned”.

This time baseball might be living right at the precipice and like the old 1965 hit song by Barry McGuire (not related to Mark McGwire) “The Eve of Destruction”. Let’s hope that is not the case.

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

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Daniel Dullum: Jones lone Cardinal to score double figures against Cougars on Thursday

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The Stanford Cardinal forward Spencer Jones (14) was the only player to score in double figures against the Washington State Cougars at Maples Pavilion on Thu Feb 3, 2022 ( file photo by Stanford Cardinal)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Daniel:

#1 Despite a game-high 24 points from Spencer Jones, Stanford fell to visiting Washington State 66-60 Thursday in Pac-12 men’s basketball at Maples Pavilion.

#2 The Cougars’ win avenged an earlier loss to Stanford on Jan. 13.

#3 No other player for the Cardinal (13-8 overall, 6-5 Pac-12) scored in double-figures. Jones made 4 of 8 3-pointers while notching his third 20-plus point game of the season.

#4 Washington State (13-7, 6-3) was paced by Michael Flowers, who scored 22 points, followed by Tyrell Roberts with 12. 

#5 The Cardinal continue their stretch of playing eight games in 17 days when they host Washington on Sunday, Feb. 8, at 1 p.m.

Join Daniel for the Stanford Cardinal basketball podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Kings have lost seven of last eight games; Tip off with Thunder Friday night at Golden One

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Sacramento Kings guard Tyrese Haliburton dribbles the ball during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors on Thu Feb 3, 2022 at Chase Center in San Francisco (AP News photo)

On the Kings podcast with Jerry F:

#1 The Sacramento Kings (19-32) Davion Mitchell replaced De’Aaron Fox in the lineup, and the rookie responded with a career-high 26 points Thursday night. 

#2 The Kings made the first bucket of the game to lead 2-0. It was the last time they would have the advantage.

#3 The Kings offense woke up and started to put points on the board at the half. Three players paced the Sacramento offense. Two of them were former Warriors, Harrison Barnes and Damion Jones. Davian Mitchell was hot, scoring ten points in the early going.

#4 Sacramento beat the Warriors 29-21 to get within 11 points of the lead. The Kings knew that they had a chance to pull off an upset as they started the third quarter.

#5 The Kings play the Oklahoma City Thunder who have lost three of their ten games head to Golden One Center in Sacramento on Sat Feb 5, 2022.

Jerry Feitelberg filled in for podcaster Jeremiah Salmonson for Kings podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Dialed In From Distance: Hot-shooting propels Washington past Cal, 84-63

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–Remember the awful shooting Huskies that barely survived their non-conference schedule, and suffered embarrassing loses to Northern Illinois and Utah Valley?

That’s not how they roll these days. The Cal Bears can attest to that.

Jamal Bey scored 20 points, and Washington hit 12 of 23 from three in an 84-63 rout of host Cal on Thursday night. The visibly fatigued Bears dropped their ninth straight and their second, consecutive loss at Haas Pavilion by more than 20 points.

“We played like a tired basketball team,” coach Mark Fox said. “We were just a step behind everything. We got to get some rest and regroup.”

Cal (9-14, 2-10) fell behind immediately, trailing 10-2 less than four minutes in. A Washington scoreless stretch of more than four minutes provided the Bears and opening, but they failed to take advantage. With 12:22 remaining in the half, Cal trailed 10-8, but from that juncture the Huskies went from scoreless to bonkers.

Washington (12-8, 7-3) hit 11 of their next 19 shots to lead 38-29 at the break.

The individual scoring for the Huskies progressed like a relay race. Emmitt Mathews Jr. scored UW’s first seven on 3 for 3 shooting, then went quiet. The Pac-12’s leading scorer Terrell Brown Jr. was next with 13 of his 19 before halftime.

Bey, the lone non-transfer among the Huskies’ starters heated up after the break. Daejon Davis, the transfer from Stanford, took his turn after Bey.

The toll? The quartet combined for 27 made baskets, and ten of the Huskies’ 12 3-pointers. Only Brown did his work inside the arc, registering all eight of his buckets from two. And make no mistake, Cal was victimized everywhere, allowing 10 layups, three dunks and 17 fastbreak points.

“We have some tired guys,” Fox said. “They didn’t have the juice tonight.”

Among the teams in Cal’s five game-in-10 days stretch, UW was supposed to offer the respite. Cal’s other four opponents–USC, UCLA, Stanford and Washington State–all have NCAA aspirations, and figured to be merciless. In the lead up, Washington’s conference schedule was labeled as a run through the league’s bottom tier with Arizona the only ranked opponent.

Well, on Thursday, the UW’s run continued; the Huskies have won 7 of 9.

“We’re just coming in with a different mindset,” Davis said when asked about UW’s in-season turnaround. “Everyday there’s a message that goes in our group chat, and it’s ‘Believe.’ And that’s something we’re sticking by and we just want to put together as many wins in a row that we can. And it’s always good to get a road win.”

Obinna Anyanwu led Cal with 10 points, Jalen Celestine added nine in the absence of Andre Kelly, who missed his second straight game with an ankle injury. Jordan Shepherd and Grant Anticevich combined to miss eight attempts from hree.

The Bears will be even more focused on Saturday for Washington State’s visit in hopes of avoiding their streak hitting 10 games. But focus might not mean fresher legs. The 1:00 pm tip comes just 36 hours after Thursday’s meaning the Bears will do more mental gymnastics than on-court conditioning.

“This is a one day prep,” Fox revealed.

WSU avenges earlier loss, holds on for 66-60 win over Cardinal

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Washington State Cougars forward (12) Michael Flowers drives up court against the Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion on Thu Feb 3, 2022 (photo by Stanford Cardinal)

By Daniel Dullum
Thursday, February 3, 2022

Despite a game-high 24 points from Spencer Jones, Stanford fell to visiting Washington State 66-60 Thursday in Pac-12 men’s basketball at Maples Pavilion.

The Cougars’ win avenged an earlier loss to Stanford on Jan. 13.

No other player for the Cardinal (13-8 overall, 6-5 Pac-12) scored in double-figures. Jones made 4 of 8 3-pointers while notching his third 20-plus point game of the season. Jaiden Delaire was next on the Stanford scoring list with eight points, and James Keefe finished with 10 rebounds and six points.

The Cougars led 33-21 at halftime and held on to win, even though Stanford outscored them 39-33 in the second half.

Washington State (13-7, 6-3) was paced by Michael Flowers, who scored 22 points, followed by Tyrell Roberts with 12. Flowers’ 3-pointer extended the Cougars’ lead to 63-55 with 4;11 to play in the second half.

Jones sank a 3 and Keefe’s dunk pulled the Cardinal to within 63-60 at 1:18. On Stanford’s final possession, Isa Silva and Harrison Ingram each missed a 3-pointer. Efe Abogidi made 3 of 4 free throws in the final minutes for WSU.

The Cougars made 49 percent of their shots (24 of 49), while Stanford was 23 of 59 (39 percent). The Cardinal outrebounded WSU 36-26.

The Cardinal continue their stretch of playing eight games in 17 days when they host Washington on Sunday, Feb. 8, at 1 p.m.