That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: The Fantastic Four

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The best four starters in Baltimore Orioles history from left to right Mike Cuellar, Pat Dobson, Dave McNally, and Jim Palmer (photo file from reddit.com )

The Fantastic Four

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

There are only two times in Major League history that a team was lucky to have four 20-game winners on the same staff during the same season. It first happened in 1920 with the Chicago White Sox. But the most recent (and the one some of us of age remember) were the Baltimore Orioles in 1971.

The 1971 season, the two best teams in the majors (by record) were the Orioles 101-57 and the Athletics 101-60. The Orioles swept the A’s in three games in the American League Championship Series. In the National League Championship Series the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the San Francisco Giants 3 games to 1.

The defending World Series Champion Baltimore Orioles took on the Pittsburgh Pirates and advanced to the World Series against the underdog Pittsburgh Pirates who won it in 6 games, as Roberto Clemente showed the world his talents and took home the MVP award.

But, perhaps the biggest story in baseball was the Orioles with their Fabulous Four starters: Miguel (Mike) Cuellar, Pat Dobson, Dave McNally, and Jim Palmer. Only one is alive today to talk about that memorable season, Jim Palmer.

The times I have spoken with Palmer, (a broadcaster for Orioles TV), he always mentioned how impressed he was with Roberto Clemente and even though his team lost the series he smiles just remembering that 1971. Back in 1971, we were 26 years away from the Inter-league “experiment.”

The Orioles and Pirates have only seen themselves during Spring Training. By the way, I was lucky and privileged to broadcast when the Giants visited the Rangers at Texas in 1997 and that was the very first Inter-league game in history. I always liked the idea of inter-league games, I liked it in 1997 and I like it today.

In 1971 Orioles Mike Cuellar 20-9 with a 3.08 earned run average. Pat Dobson 20-8 with 2.90, Dave McNally 21-5, 2.89, and Jim Palmer 20-9, 2.68, he is the only Hall of Famer of the four.

Mike Cuellar was a professional pitcher at 19 years of age in the old Cuban professional Winter League with the Alacranes (Scorpions) of Almendares. Cuellar had a killer screwball and previously in 1969 became the first and only Cuban-born pitcher to win the Cy Young with a record of 23-11 and 2.38 earned run average.

The best season ever by a Cuban-born pitcher in Major League Baseball was that of Adolfo Luque with the Cincinnati Reds in 1923 with a record 27-8 and 1.93 earned run average and completed 28 games. The Cy Young Award was first given in 1956, so Luque missed the Cy Young by 33 years.

The Fabulous Four arguably was one of the best rotations in history. Of the four starters, three; Dave McNally, Mike Cuellar and Jim Palmer won Cy Young Award during their careers. It has been 51 years since that great pennant-winning season for the Orioles.

How much has pitching changed? It is evident, as we look at last season (2021) where only one pitcher won 20 games, Julio Urias the Mexican-born young lefty of the Los Angeles Dodgers who ended with a 20-3 and 2.96 record in 32 games he started.

This will continue as the real importance of pitching is now relegated to the bullpen/relievers and less dependent on the starters, who basically are expected to go the first five innings. Dramatically the classic quote by pitching coaches a few years ago when they asked a starter “give me six good innings” has really become, “go at least five, please”.

However, we cannot underscore the 1971 accomplishment by the Orioles Fabulous Four starting rotation, since then nobody has been able to duplicate and in today’s with five-men rotations, forget it, winning 15 games is like “wow, what a season”.

In 2016 the San Francisco Giants signed pitcher Jeff Samardzija for 5-years for $90 million, his best season was his first with Giants in 2016 when he won a total of 12 games, and he is currently a free agent.

Note: Spring Training 2022 in Arizona and Florida is scheduled to open February 14; however, this could be delayed or even worse, canceled if there is not an agreement signed between MLB and the Players Union during the current Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations. These sessions of negotiations are taking place in New York City, face to face between the two parties. The baseball season is scheduled to begin on March 31.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris Phllips: Cal tries to break seven game losing streak against Stanford Tuesday night

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The USC Trojans Isaiah Mobley shows whose the big man on campus scoring a leading 24 points against the Cal Bears on Sat Jan 29, 2022 at Galen Center in Los Angeles (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris:

#1 Morris, the whistles might have been unkind to the USC Trojans (19-3) Isaiah Mobley who led with 24 points but Mobley was unkind to the Cal Bears (9-13) in turn on Saturday night in the Southland as Cal on this seven game losing streak.

#2 The Bears suffered a frustrating 79-72 loss to No. 15 USC as Mobley and Ethan Anderson carried the Trojans in a physical contest that was still up for grabs with two minutes remaining.

#3 The 6’10” Mobley (24 points) and Memphis transfer Boogie Ellis (21 points, five assists) came up with career-best scoring performances.

#4 The Bears in the first half were just behind the Trojans by six points but were close 38-37 in the second half and ending up with a seven point loss 79-72.

#5 Morris the Bears will try to end their seven game losing streak when they head to Stanford on Tuesday night to face the Cardinal (12-8) the Cardinal have been going well winning seven of their last ten games.

Join Morris for the Cal Bears podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Rockets vs. Warriors tip off at Chase tonight; Houston has never recovered after losing Harden

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Brooklyn Nets James Harden is excited for his team on Sat Jan 29, 2022 against the Golden State Warriors and his old team the Houston Rockets have never recovered since his departure. The Warriors host the Rockets Mon Jan 31, 2022 at the Chase Center in San Francisco (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara, tell us about what the Brooklyn Nets (29-20) Kyrie Irving told the Golden State Warriors (37-13) Klay Thompson Saturday night saying that Stephen Curry has “completely revolutionized the game.”

#2 Irving has much respect for Golden State for what they’ve accomplished saying, “Going against each other has been great, but I think studying each other has been even more of a special bond,”

#3 Anytime the Nets and Warriors match up and you could expect a tough, exciting game full of great defense and offense and the game Saturday night was no different in a four point win for the Warriors 110-106.

#4 Barbara, talk about Andrew Wiggins who been getting off some great shots, has been getting a lot of looks and during Curry’s short slump has made up the difference on some of the scoring.

#5 The Houston Rockets (14-35) are going Houston on tonight the Rockets have lost seven of their last 11 games losing their last game on Friday night to the Portland Trailblazers (21-28) 125-110. Houston has really not been the organization that they were since James Harden left for Brooklyn.

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

Rams edge 49ers 20-17 to win the NFC Championship, will face the Bengals in Super Bowl LVI

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo could only hide his face after the 49ers collapsed in the fourth quarter in a giveaway to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles in the NFC Championship (AP News photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — For a second consecutive the team from the host city will be playing in the Super Bowl.

Matt Gay’s 30-yard field goal with 1:46 remaining in the fourth quarter was enough to propel the Los Angeles Rams to a 20-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game on Sunday evening at SoFi Stadium.

In a game that went back and forth, the Rams scored the final 13 points of the game and Travin Howard’s interception of 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo with 1:09 left in the game booked LA’s ticket to Super Bowl LVI where they will face off against the AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals, who earlier defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 24-21 in overtime.

The Rams pulled a Vincent Gambini, as the 7th time was the charm in finally being able to beat the 49ers

“We came up short today,” said 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. “And that’s a part of sports and a part of life, so you gotta deal with it. Those guys are hurting now, but they’ll rebound, they’ll be strong like before.”

Neither offense could get going on their opening possession which resulted in a three and out for both teams.

Los Angeles got inside the red zone in their second possession, but Jimmy Ward intercepted a tipped ball inside the endzone off of quarterback Matthew Stafford and returned to the 23-yard line.

San Francisco wasn’t able to capitalize on the turnover as their drive stalled near midfield.

The Rams then went on a long drive that consumed over nine and a half minutes of possession. Stafford engineered an 18-play drive that started at their own three-yard line. The drive was capped off with a 16-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who was able to get behind the 49ers’ secondary in the endzone.

The 49ers answered back immediately on their next drive. They only needed four plays to even the game when quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo connected with hybrid superstar Deebo Samuel with a wide receiver screen at the line of scrimmage. Samuel performed his magic as he raced down the field before diving for the pylon for a 44-yard touchdown reception.

It was the first offensive touchdown for San Francisco in more than six quarters since they scored in the third quarter against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card game.

Los Angeles was on the verge of responding back on their next drive. However, two big drops, one by Kupp and the other by Ben Skowronek that went off his hands in the endzone stalled the Rams drive at the 49ers 36-yard line.

Matt Gay’s 54-yard field goal attempt missed badly wide right with 1:55 remaining in the first half.

The 49ers responded by going 36 yards on eight plays which resulted in a Robbie Gould 38-yard field goal to end the first half 10-7.

The 49ers defense dominated the third quarter in the trenches as they held the Rams runing game in check. The big momentum turner was the Niners defense stopping Stafford’s quarter back sneak attempt on 4th and 1 near midfield.

Garoppolo rewarded the defense’s effort by marching the offense down the field 58 yards on 10 plays that was capped off by an outstanding reach of a reception by tight end George Kittle for a 16-yard touchdown to put the 49ers up 17-7 with 1:59 left in the third quarter.

Stafford then led the Rams on a seven play, 75-yard drive where he finished it off with an 11-yard touchdown reception to Kupp, his second of the game to cut the lead to 17-14.

Gay kicked the 40-yard game tying field goal with 6:49 left in the fourth quarter as the Rams went 63 yards on nine plays. The key play on that drive was the first play when Stafford threw deep down the middle of the field and Jaquiski Tartt had the ball fall in and out of his hands for a would-be interception. The next play Stafford hit Odell Beckham Jr. with a 29-yard reception and Jimmy Ward was flagged for unnecessary roughness.

“For me that’s something I was thinking about all week, I know I can make that play,” Tartt said. “That was a big opportunity for me, and the team and I just felt like I let my brother down.”

The Rams defense didn’t allow the 49ers offense to score in the fourth quarter as they were able to plug the gaps and not allow San Francisco’s run game to gain any momentum. They also were able to pressure Garoppolo into forced throws as they chased him out of the pocket during the 49ers final two drives.

“I think we won the line of scrimmage,” said Stafford. “Our guys on the outside made plays. It’s a team effort. That’s what it’s all about.”

Los Angeles kept the 49ers defense on the field for the majority of the game. They ran 42 plays in the first half and won the time of possession battle 35:39-24:21. The Niners defense had a difficult time getting off the field on third down that allowed the Rams offense to extend drives into 49ers territory.

“It was a roller coaster of a year, it really was,” Garoppolo said. “We fought through it. We’re a resilient team and that’s what good team do; you fight through things like that (so) you come up better from that.”

Stafford, who will be playing in his first Super Bowl after 13 seasons, finished the game 31 of 45 for 337 yards, two touchdowns, one interception a QB rating of 96.2. Kupp led all wide receivers with 11 catches for 142 yards to go along with his two touchdowns. Odell Beckham Jr. had a productive game with nine catches for 113 yards. Cam Akers, who returned to the lineup, chipped in with 48 yards on 13 carries.

Garoppolo, who might have played his game in San Francisco, finished 16 of 30 for 232 with two touchdowns, one interception and a QB rating of 87.1. Samuel led the 49ers in receiving with four catches for 72 yards, but only contributed 26 yards on the ground on seven carries. Brandon Aiyuk had a quiet game with four catches for 69 yards. Elijah Mitchell had just 20 yards on 11 carries.

GAME NOTES: San Francisco finished 3-for-9 on third down conversions. Los Angeles was 11-for-18.

Despite the loss, San Francisco is 6-1 in their last seven games against Los Angeles.

The attendance, which consisted of a majority of 49ers fans, was 73,202. The normal capacity for SoFi Stadium is 71,500.

Rams tight end Tyler Higbee left the game in the first quarter with a knee injury and did not return to the game.

Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles suffered a knee injury in the first half, and he did not return as well as linebacker Dre Greenlaw who suffered a calf injury.

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez: Raiders hire new coach Patriots Josh McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels looks onto the field during Nov 14, 2021 game at Foxborough has been hired as the Las Vegas Raiders new head coach as of Sun Jan 30, 2022 (AP News file photo)

On the Raiders podcast with Rich:

#1 Rich, the Las Vegas Raiders have made big news on Sunday hiring a new general manager Dave Ziegler and a new head coach Josh McDaniels. Both men come from the New England Patriots. Zeigler was head of player personnel and McDaniels was offensive coordinator at the Patriots.

#2 Ziegler replaces former Raiders general manager Mike Mayock who was fired in early January. McDaniels was also head coach at the Denver Broncos for two seasons 2009 and 2010. McDaniels replaces interim head coach Rich Bisaccia.

#3 Rich, Coach Bisaccia led the Raiders to their second post season in 19 years and at the end of the season the Raiders had won four of their last five games before being eliminated in the AFC Wild Card game by the Cincinnati Bengals.

#4 Bisaccia is a free agent and the Chicago Bears are interested in hiring Bisaccia as special teams coach and will work under Bears head coach Matt Eberflus who was hired on Thursday by the Bears.

#5 Rich, McDaniels comes from the Patriots where he was offensive coordinator there since 2012 and under head coach Bill Belichick. So McDaniels had some good mentoring under Belichick all those years.

Rich Perez is a Las Vegas Raiders beat writer and podcasts Raiders for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Lose 2-1 to Hurricanes; Sharks drop fourth game out of last five

Published on by M WalshLeave a comment

Carolina Hurricanes’ Seth Jarvis (24) attempts to poke the puck past San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer (47) with Sharks’ Jaycob Megna (24) and Brent Burns (88) at PNC in Carolina on Sun Jan 30, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks fell 2-1 in a nailbiter against the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday. Vincent Trocheck and Andrei Svechnikov scored for Carolina. Frederik Andersen made 27 saves for the win. Rudolfs Balcers scored for the Sharks and James Reimer made 27 saves in the loss.

Both teams were playing back-to-back games, though the Sharks had to travel as well. The Sharks were also asking their goaltender to play back-to-back games, as Adin Hill is out with an injury. This put added pressure on the Sharks defense. Of their performance, Sharks Head Coach Bob Boughner said: “I thought all our D had a decent game back there. I think, you know, we were more physical tonight. We could’ve had better puck movement back there but they’re a pinching team hard all over the ice and that doesn’t give you a lot of options coming around that net.”

Of playing back-to-back games, Sharks goaltender James Reimer said: “Obviously, playing back-to-back is tough with travel and a short schedule. But that’s why you train all summer, so you can be ready for this and the training staff did a great job doing what they could to put humpty dumpty back together again and get ready to play tonight.”

The Sharks will face the Tampa Bay Lightning next, the team that beat them 7-1 in the game before this road trip started. It will be the Sharks’ last game before the All-Star break. Of the upcoming match, Sharks forward Andrew Cogliano said:

“I think we owe it to ourselves to finish this road trip the right way. We played hard, [Reimer] played back to back games, you don’t see that often. We got two of our best defensemen out, guys that played very hard back there and come in, you know, special teams has been good. I think we’re just at a point where you got to lay it on the line in terms of playing our best game against a really good team and then the break will be good for our team I think.”

The game against the Hurricanes was the opposite of Saturday’s high-scoring meet in Florida. The goals came few and far between Sunday.

Vincent Trocheck gave Carolina the early lead with a goal at 4:36 of the first period. Skating into the zone 1-on-3, Trocheck took the shot from just inside the blue line and beat Reimer on the glove side. Assists went to Ian Cole and Ethan Bear.

The Sharks held a slight lead in shots during the first period, 11-9. In the second, however, Carolina outshot San Jose badly, 11-4. The Sharks power play had one shot on goal, and their penalty kill gave up one shot and had two short-handed shots. In the face-off circle, Carolina prevailed through the first two periods, winning 52% in the first and 74% in the second.

Rudolfs Balcers tied the game at 3:36 of the third period. Balcers was skating across in front of the net when Nicolas Meloche took a shot from the point. The puck went off of Jonathan Dahlen and right to Balcers for the shot. Assists went to Dahlen and Meloche.

Andrei Svechnikov scored the game winner at 16:16 of the third. Brett Pesce took a shot from the blue line that went into a snarl of traffic right in front of the net. When the puck bounced back out, Svechnikov was the only one who could get to it. Assists went to Pesce and Sebastian Aho.

The Sharks made a good push in the third, out-shooting Carolina 13-9 and improving in the face-off circle to 52%.

Mario Ferraro missed Sunday’s game due to a mouth injury sustained in Saturday’s tilt against the Panthers.

The Sharks will play in Tampa Bay against the Lightning on Tuesday at 4:00 PM PT.

NFL Championship podcast with Charlie O: Can underdog 49ers pull it off against Rams; Bengals Burrow has tall order vs. Chiefs

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould boots one through the uprights for the game winner against the Green Bay Packers on Sun Jan 22, 2022. The 49ers visit the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles Sun Jan 30, 2022 in the NFC Championship (AP News photo)

On the NFL Championship podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie you’ve seen it San Francisco 49ers (12-7) quarter Jimmy Garoppolo has pulled it off leading the 49ers to five straight victories to get them to the NFC Championship against the Los Angeles Rams (14-5).

#2 The 49ers defense for the most part has been given much of the credit for keeping the 49ers in some tight games.

#3 Rams quarterback Matt Stafford has 4886 yards passing, 41 touchdowns for this season what a difference a season makes ever since coming over from Detroit.

#4 The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has had quite a season in his last game he threw for 348 yards and one interception in the Bengals narrow 19-16 win. How do you see him throwing against the Kansas City Chiefs (14-5) today?

#5 What can you say about Chiefs quarterback Pat Mahomes that already has been said. Mahomes led the Chiefs to a seven point 42-36 win over the Buffalo Bills win last Sunday. How do you see Mahomes and the Chiefs fairing against the Bengals today?

Join Charlie O every other Sunday for Sportstalk at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

No. 7 UCLA snaps Cardinal two-game winning streak, winning 66-43

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

UCLA guard Jules Bernard, center, struggles to keep possession of the ball while defended by Stanford forward Spencer Jones, left, and guard Isa Silva at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Sat Jan 29, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Saturday, January 29, 2022

UCLA went into Saturday’s Pac-12 men’s basketball game against Stanford shorthanded, but their personnel situation was hardly noticeable.

The No. 7-ranked Bruins shut down the visiting Cardinal 66-43 at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, gaining sole possession of first place in the conference.

Jules Bernard led UCLA with 16 points as the Bruins (16-2 overall, 8-1 Pac-12) won their sixth straight game. Jake Kyman scored a season-high 15 points in 27 minutes, helping a Bruins offense that was missing leading scorer Johnny Juzang, who sat out his second straight game due to COVID-19 protocols. Tyler Campbell contributed ten points and nine assists.

Also missing for UCLA: Jaime Jacquez Jr. and Jaylen Clark. Jacquez aggravated a right ankle injury just seven minutes in, and Clark sat out his third straight game due to concussion protocol.

Stanford (12-7, 5-4) had its problems on offense as the Cardinal had their two-game winning streak snapped. The Cardinal hit 13 of 48 field goal attempts, including 3 of 20 behind the arc. The Bruins defense forced 22 turnovers.

The Bruins, meanwhile, had their own offensive struggles, hitting 22 of 59 from the field while missing 25 threes.

Isa Silva led the Cardinal scoring with eight points off the bench, and Harrison Ingram, Stanford’s leading scorer, was held to five points while committing four turnovers.

Stanford returns home to host California on Tuesday night, opening a four-game home stand.

Foul Finish: Bears start fast, but get worn down in 79-72 loss to No. 15 USC

Published on by moepeaLeave a comment

By Morris Phillips

The whistles were unkind, but Isaiah Mobley was just plain rude to the Cal Bears on Saturday.

The Bears hot shooting from game’s opening tip carried them only so far in a frustrating 79-72 loss to No. 15 USC as Mobley and Ethan Anderson rallied the Trojans in a physical contest that was still up for grabs with two minutes remaining.

The 6’10” Mobley (24 points) and Memphis transfer Boogie Ellis (21 points, five assists) came up with career-best scoring performances to help navigate the Trojans through a slow start that saw them trail by 11 early, and lead by just two points with 2:21 left.

“Cal played outstanding offensive basketball,” USC coach Andy Enfield said. “They made shot after shot and competed at a high level. They played well. It took everything we had.”

The Bears (9-12, 2-8) dropped their seventh straight contest, and still haven’t won on the road in six tries. Their 50 percent shooting, including eight made 3’s kept them in it, but the size disparity between the teams showed at the free throw line where the Trojans made 21 of 28. The free throws made and attempted were both season-bests for the hosts.

“We did a lot of good things, but we just didn’t close it and again we just got murdered at the free-throw line, and that’s the difference in the game,” coach Mark Fox said.

The Bears made eight of their first ten shots and led 20-9. They were still leading 27-18 and shooting 69 percent from the floor when USC responded. Ellis and Mobley contributed 11 points in USC’s 21-4 run that gave them a 39-31 lead with 1:40 to go before halftime.

The Trojans led 41-35 at the half despite Cal’s 54 percent shooting.

“I wish we could have held the lead there at the half. We just couldn’t quite do it under the circumstances,” said Fox, who sensed USC could grow tight if Cal maintained the lead, and threatened to deal USC consecutive losses after Stanford stunned them on Thursday.

Makale Foreman led Cal with 13 points in just 12 minutes on the floor. Jalen Celestine, Andre Kelly and Jordan Shepherd each scored 12.

Kelly embodied Cal’s biggest adjustment from Thursday’s drubbing at UCLA to their resurgence offensively at USC by taking quick-hitting entry passes to the basket before the taller Trojans could react. Kelly converted a jumper in the lane just 13 seconds into the second half to draw the Bears closer, down 41-37.

But Kelly wasn’t around for the finish. He suffered a leg or ankle injury with 11 minutes remaining and departed. Joel Brown also was absent for the game’s conclusion after he fouled out despite playing just 13 minutes.

Cal’s quest for a first win on the road, and a first against a ranked opponent continued despite the absences. Ellis’ consecutive baskets gave USC their biggest lead of eight, but Cal responded with five straight points to cut the deficit 63-60 with 7:08 remaining.

And again the Bears sliced the Trojans 67-60 advantage to two with consecutive baskets from Celestine and Foreman that brought the Bears within two points with 3:26 remaining.

In the end, the Bears couldn’t draw any closer. Grant Anticevich missed a pair of shots in the game’s final two minutes, finishing 3 of 13 from the floor as the team’s normal late game go-to guy couldn’t escape his shooting slump.

On Tuesday, Cal visits Stanford in a rescheduled contest that has the Bears playing five times in a 10-day stretch.

Embiid leads 76ers in 103-101 comeback win over Kings

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid can do it all on his back passes the ball between Sacramento Kings defenders Damian Jones (30) and Buddy Hield (24) at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia as the Kings go down to their sixth straight loss on Sat Jan 29, 2022 (AP News photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

PHILADELPHIA — It was another second half collapse by Cap City.

Joel Embiid scored 23 of his 36 points in the second half as he sparked the Philadelphia 76ers to a 103-101 comeback win over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday evening at the Wells Fargo Center.

Sacramento has lost six games in a row and anchor the basement of the Pacific Division. Philadelpha has caught fire as they have won four games in a row and five of their last six. They have overtaken the Brooklyn Nets for first place in the Atlantic Division with a one-game lead.

Harrison Barnes started out hot with 10 points in the first quarter. Tobias Harris paced the 76ers with nine points as the Kings led 31-27 after the opening quarter.

The Kings took advantage of eight turnovers by the 76ers in the first quarter.

Sacramento (18-33) took control of the second quarter with a 15-3 run. They led 61-46 with 1:38 left in the quarter before the home team closed out the quarter with the final four points as the Kings cruised into halftime up by 11 points.

The Kings had their biggest lead at 70-55 in the third quarter as the outscored the 76ers 15-4 in the first five minutes.

Philadelphia (30-19) slowly chipped away as they outscored Sacramento 26-13 to end the third quarter as they cut the Kings lead to 83-81 to start the fourth quarter.

The 76ers went on a 9-0 run in less than two minutes to grab their first lead of the game when Andre Drummond’s layup gave Philly an 88-87 lead with 8:56 left in the fourth quarter.

Embiid scored seven points in a two-minute stretch to give the 76ers their biggest lead at 103-93 with 2:28 remaining.

Sacramento’s Tyrese Haliburton scored eight of his game high 38 points in the final two minutes to bring the Kings within two points. A five-second violation by Philadelphia with 11.1 second left gave the Kings a final chance to win or send the game into overtime.

However, the 76ers defense stood its ground defensively as they forced Barnes into a desperation three-point attempt at the buzzer that missed way off the mark to seal the Kings fate.

Philadelphia outscored Sacramento 53-40 in the second half.

Barnes finished with 16 points and Donovan Mitchell chipped in 15 points for Sacramento. The Kings bench didn’t help their cause with only 16 points total for the game.

Harris finished with 16 points and Tyrese Maxey chipped in 15.

GAME NOTES: Sacramento finished 12-for-35 from beyond the arc. Philadelphia was 12-for-30.

UP NEXT: Sacramento finishes their five-game road trip on Monday 1/31 against the New York Knicks at 4:30pm at Madison Square Garden.