Kings get six point win over Thunder 117-111; Snap 3 game skid

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento Kings guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) gets a pass off in front of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Gabriel Deck (6) at the Golden One Center in Sacramento on Tue Dec 28, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings (14-21) were back in action on Tuesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder (12-21). The Kings last played on Sunday when they took on the Memphis Grizzlies. That game got out of hand in a big way for the Kings as they fell 127-102 to the Grizzlies. On Tuesday the Kings were set to take on the Grizzlies at 7 PM PST. The Kings managed to defeat the Thunder 117-111.

In the first quarter, both teams started the game about even. Neither team really got an immediate offensive spark. The Kings upped the pace towards the quarter but the Thunder outscored the Kings 34-42 inn the first 12 minutes of action. Harrison Barnes and Lu Dort who respectively each had eight points.

In the second quarter, the Kings and Thunder matched each other’s play for the most of the quarter. However, the Kings managed to take the advantage going into halftime. The Kings outscored the Thunder 29-23 in the second quarter to take the lead 61-57.

The Kings were led in the first half by Harrison Barnes and Tyrese Halliburton who each scored 11 points. The Thunder received their biggest contribution from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who scored 11 points. The Kings would look to close out things out in the second half.

In the third quarter, the Kings melted down early. However, they were able to survive and bring themselves back before the end of the third. The Kings all in all outscored the Thunder 26-24 in the third to take the lead into the fourth quarter. Could the Kings close out the game?

Yes! In the fourth quarter, the Kings went up big early. However, that wouldn’t tell the whole story. The Kings didn’t hold their large lead late in the fourth quarter. The Thunder managed to claw their way back and get within six points as the game ended.

The Kings and the Thunder both scored 30 points I. The fourth as the Kings managed to defeat the Thunder 117-111 at Golden One Center. The Kings didn’t play particularly well on Tuesday. Yet, what matters is that they won the game.

The Kings improved to 14-21 on the year as the Thunder fell to 12-21. The Kings are currently one game back of the San Antonio Spurs for the last play in spot. The Kings were led by Tyrese Haliburton who scored 24 points as Shai Gilgeous Alexander scored 33 for the Thunder.

Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday at 7:30 PM PST.

Sharks Beat Coyotes 8-7 in Shoot-Out

Published on by M WalshLeave a comment

San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl scores as teammates congratulate him in the third period with Jayden Halbgewachs (89), Mario Ferraro (38), Noah Gregor (73) and Brent Burns (88) against the Arizona Coyotes on Tue Dec 28, 2021 at SAP Center in San Jose (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

SAN JOSE- The San Jose Sharks won 8-7 in a barn-burner against the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday. Alexander Barabanov, Nick Bonino, Radim Simek, Jeffrey Viel, Timo Meier, Tomas Hertl and Logan Couture scored for the Sharks. James Reimer made 39 saves for the win. Lawson Crouse (2), Janis Moser(2), Clayton Keller, Shayne Gostisbehere and Andrew Ladd scored for the Coyotes. Scott Wedgewood made 20 saves in the loss.

On Monday, Adin Hill was added to the Sharks COVID-19 protocol list. Jonathan Dahlen and Tomas Hertl were added to the list list on December 21. Brent Burns was put on the list on the 17th, and removed from it on December 26. That made him available to play his 1200th game Tuesday.

Shortly after a fight between Jonah Gadjovich and Jan Jenik, Alexander Barabanov started the scoring at 2:46 of the first period. Logan Couture took a shot from the slot that banked perfectly off of Barabanov and into the net. Couture and Timo Meier got the assists.

Lawson Crouse tied it up at 5:36. Phil Kessel set up the shot with a pass from the corner, to Crouse in the slot.

Nick Bonino made it 2-1 Sharks at 11:22. Bonino started the play by knocking the puck off of Shayne Gostisbehere’s stick. When Andrew Cogliano took a shot, Bonino was on hand to gather the rebound and backhand it in. Assists went to Matt Nieto and Andrew Cogliano.

Janis Moser tied it back up at 17:40, scoring his first NHL goal. Lawson Crouse got the puck away from Brent Burns below the goal line and made a qick pass up to Moser for the shot. An assist went to Crouse.

The Sharks had the only power play of the first period, and had two shots with the man advantage. The Coyotes out-shot the Sharks 14-8 in the first.

Radim Simek gave the Sharks a 3-2 lead at 5:27 of the second period. Tomas Hertl was in front of the net when Simek tooka shot from the blue line. The puck went between Hertl and Janis Moser and over Wedgewood’s glove. Assists went to Jayden Halbgewachs and Marc-Edouard Vlasic.

Jeffrey Viel scored his first NHL goal to give the Sharks a 4-2 lead at 5:34. Viel may have been making a pass to center ice, where Jonah Gadjovich was going to the net. The puck never reached Gadjovich, and instead went off of a Coyote defender and into the net. Assists went to Gadjovich and Lane Pederson.

Clayton Keller got one back for Arizona at 7:48. The Coyotes were having trouble getting through the neutral zone when Phil Kessel found Keller across the ice and in the open. Keller was into the zone and taking the shot before the Sharks could get to him. Assists went to Kessel and Johan Larsson.

Timo Meier restored the Sharks’ two-goal lead at 14:13. With Couture, Barabanov and Meier attacking the net, Meier knocked the puck out of the air and over the goaltender for his 13th of the season. Assists went to Barabanov and Couture.

Janis Moser cut the lead back down to one, with his second NHL goal, on the power play at 19:37. After a failed clear, the Sharks penalty kill was looking weary when Moser took the shot from the blue line. The puck went by five skaters and in. Assists went to Larsson and Loui Eriksson.

The Coyotes had the only second period power play, and had two shots with the man advantage. Arizona out-shot San Jose again, this time 14-11.

Tomas Hertl made it 6-4 at 1:44 of the third. Noah Gregor got the puck to Hertl with a back-hand centering pass from the boards. Hertl put it away with a slap shot, scoring his 15th of the season.

Lawson Crouse scored for Arizona at 7:35. Crouse gathered a loose puck up at the corner of the net, then slipped between Reimer and Erik Karlsson before lifting the puck into the net. Assists went to Dysin Mayo and Phil Kessel.

Logan Couture scored the Sharks’ seventh of the night at 13:00. Still in the neutral zone, Erik Karlsson banked the puck off of the end boards. Barabanov got to it first and the dropped it to Couture for the shot. Assists went to Barabanov and Karlsson.

Shayne Gostisbehere scored for Arizona at 16:51. Gostisbehere took a shot from the blue line that went off of Nick Bonino and in. Assists went to Kessel and Larsson.

Andrew Ladd tied the game at 18:31 on the power play. Ladd was the last Coyote to touch it before it bounced up and over Reimer and into the net. Assists went to Crouse and Gostisbehere.

The Sharks penalty kill gave up 8 shots and a goal in the third period across two penalties. The Sharks power play got no shots on goal in the third. In overtime, the Sharks power play got one shot on goal and gave up two short-handed shots to the Coyotes. The Coyotes won 57% of the face-offs.

The game went to a shootout after a scoreless overtime. Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl scored for San Jose, Nick Schmaltz missed for Arizona and James Reimer stopped Clayton Keller.

The Sharks next play on Thursday at 7:30 PM PT in San Jose against the Philadelphia Flyers.

On Sunday, Jim Wiley passed away at the age of 71. Wiley was the Sharks’ third Head Coach, coaching the Sharks for most of the 1995-1996 season. He was a professional hockey player for eight years, from 1972-1980. He went on to coach for fourteen years, retiring in 2008.

No Post-Christmas Miracle For Golden State Nuggets Prevail 89-86

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry after he converts shooting a 3-point basket, the 3,000th of his career runs up the other end of the court against the Denver Nuggets on Tue Dec 28, 2021 at the Chase Center in San Francisco (AP News photo)

No Post-Christmas Miracle For Golden State Nuggets Prevail 89-86

By Barbara Mason

The absence of Draymond Green really hurt the Golden State Warriors (27-7) offensively and most of all defensively. They dug a very deep hole for themselves in the first half of this game with poor shooting and turnovers. The results for the Warriors were just as bad in a three point 89-86 loss to the Denver Nuggets (17-16)

The good news for the Warriors was the return of Andrew Wiggins Tuesday night. They took on Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets in the first of back-to-back games against Denver.

There was some bad news however for Golden State in this game. The Nuggets completely outplayed the Warriors in the first quarter. Turnovers and missed shots gave the Nuggets the early 31-16 lead. While it was great to have Wiggins back, he needed help from his teammates who could not get anything going.

At the half the Warriors were looking at a 60-36 deficit. Denver was totally beating up Golden State in this game. The shots from downtown were elusive for the Warriors shooting 4 of 17. This was the lowest score of the season for Golden State in a first half. They were shooting 23% after two quarters. The Nuggets got off to a running start in this game and it would be tough to slow them down.

The Nuggets Will Barton had 17 points but it was the huge presence of Jokic that ruled the court in the first two quarters. The Warriors had a lot of work to do in the second half.

The Warriors had dug a deep hole and would need a monster third quarter to make up this deficit. Wiggins was high point man in the first half with 12 points and was the only player with double digits. Stephen Curry had two points and was 0-5 from downtown and they needed to somehow get Curry open. The bench didn’t have much going either. The bright spot of the contest Curry hit his 3000th career three pointer to become the first NBA player in history to accomplish such a feat.

This game could possibly be the best game that the Nuggets have played all season. They had it going at every turn, forcing turnovers and missed shots and they had totally contained Curry.

Golden State cut the 24 point half time deficit by nearly a half in the third quarter. The Nuggets started to miss some shots but the Warriors could not take full advantage of it. The third quarter did end on a high note as Curry hit his first three point shot of the game. Trailing by the score of 74-61 the Warriors needed stops and they needed a lot of them.

In the fourth quarter Jonathan Kuminga cut the Nugget lead to single digits with eight minutes left in the game. Denver had been held to 27 % shooting in the second half trying to hold onto a five point lead 79-74.

Denver had only shot 19 points in the second half with six minutes remaining. With less than a minute the game was tied at 84. The Nuggets Will Barton was the difference in this game scoring a tipped shot and a couple of free throws.

The final was 89-86. The post-Christmas miracle that almost was, did not come to fruition. Golden State certainly had a lot of opportunity to win this game but they just had too much to overcome.

Great defense by the Warriors in the second half was just not enough. The missed free throws, 15 in all, and the turnovers really hurt the team in this game. The double coverage on Curry all night was also challenging. He did finish with 23 points and five from downtown. It was just too little too late for Golden State.

The Warriors continue the home at home series and will have the opportunity to even the score Thursday night in Denver when they play a second game. Tipoff is schedule for 6:30.

AHL postpones Barracuda-Heat game on Wednesday due to Covid-19 protocols

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The San Jose Barracuda and Stockton Heat postponed for Wed Dec 29 at SAP Center the game will be rescheduled. The Barracuda have 12 players on their Covid 19 protocol list. (photo from San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

The AHL announced earlier today that due to league COVID-19 protocols affecting the Barracuda, the San Jose Barracuda’s game on Wed., Dec. 29 against the Stockton Heat has been postponed.

The ‘Cuda now have 12 players on the protocol list as well as assistant coach Michael Chiasson. Here is the current list of players that are on the protocol.

D Mark Alt

F Sasha Chmelevski

D Nick Cicek

F Joe Garreffa

F Dillion Hamaliuk

D Patrick Holway

F Krystof Hrabik

F Evander Kane

G Alexei Melnichuk 

D Ryan Merkley

F Scott Reedy  

F Jasper Weatherby

An additional Barracuda staff member also remains in the AHL’s COVID-19 protocol.

An update to the status of Friday and Sunday’s games will be provided in the coming days.

A make-up date for Wednesday’s game has yet to be determined.

All San Jose Sharks and San Jose Barracuda players and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and compliant with the NHL and AHL’s COVID-19 testing and guidance protocols. 

Las Vegas Raiders Report: John Madden legendary coach and broadcaster dead at 85

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

John Madden (right) featured in Super Bowl 50 photo in the CBS booth with play by play announcer Pat Sommerall (You Tube file photo)

By Rich Perez

Las Vegas Raiders beat writer

LAS VEGAS–Called by many the greatest broadcaster ever and Hall of Fame football coach John Madden passed away at age 85 today. His death was unexpected he passed away Tuesday morning.

The NFL released a statement from commissioner Roger Goodall: “On behalf of the entire NFL family, we extend our condolences to Virginia, Mike, Joe and their families, we all know him as the Hall of Fame coach of the Oakland Raiders and broadcaster who worked for every major network, but more than anything, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.” Madden and his wife Virginia just celebrated their 62nd anniversary on Sunday.

There has not been a date set for a memorial service. Madden resided in Pleasanton, Madden was head coach at the Oakland Raiders from 1969-78 and won the Super Bowl in 1976 the Raiders lost only one game that season going 13-1.

Madden had a coaching career record of 103-32-7 and got the Raiders to the post season ten times going 9-7. In 2006 Madden went into the NFL Hall of Fame and was just 42 when he became a broadcaster doing color in 1979 on CBS first working with Pat Sommerall, after CBS Madden went onto to work with Al Michaels on ABC Monday Night Football. Madden retired in 2008.

He voiced over video games “Madden NFL” which began in 1988 and “John Madden Football.” Madden while head coach at the Raiders was such a huge landscape for Bay Area sports and was well loved in post game press conferences by journalists and reporters for his comments and great football insight.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Would it be a good idea to shut it down; Bakersfield-San Jose postponed due to Covid 19

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

SAP Center in San Jose sat empty on Mon Dec 27, 2021 as the San Jose Barracuda and Bakersfield Condors game has been postponed (file photo Fear of the Fin)

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 With the number of professional sports events being shutdown to Covid 19 protocols would it make sense to follow what the NHL did and just shut it down for a week?

#2 The San Jose Barracuda have six players and one assistant coach with Monday’s game against the Bakersfield Condors postponed what ways will the postponements impact teams?

#3 The Barracuda have announced that all Barracuda and Sharks players are fully vaccinated and are compliant with the NHL and AHL protocols. Those that have been boosted have not been hospitalized and when there is breakthrough it’s been mild cases.

#4 The Barracuda lost their last game last week Wed Dec 22, 2021 at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland to the Colorado Eagles 5-0. The Barracuda had their two game win streak end while the Eagles snapped four game loss streak.

#5 The Barracuda and the Stockton Heat are supposed to face off this Wednesday at SAP Center in San Jose the plan is for that game to go forward for a 5pm puck drop.

Join Marko for the the Barracuda podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal heads to the farm to face rival Stanford Sunday; Bears on four game winning streak

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Cal Bears featuring Grant Anticevich (15) who was the top scorer on Wed Dec 22, 2021 at Cal against the Pacific Tigers will face the Stanford Cardinal Sun Jan 2, 2022 at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto (Cal Bears Athletics photo)

On the Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris:

#1 For Cal Bears (9-5) head coach Mark Fox the first half of their game against the Pacific Tigers (5-10) on Wednesday is more a learning lesson than one of frustration. Fox said after the first half, “It was going to be an ugly Christmas at halftime.” The Bears were trailing the Tigers at the half 30-25.

#2 Fox got them turned around in the second half with the Bears improved defense and the Bears screening out the Tigers top scorers from the first half Jayden Byers (10 points), Jeremiah Bailey (8 points) and Sam Freeman (8 points).

#3 The Bears on offense poured it on with 48 points in the second half and outscored the Tigers 48-23. The Bears wound up getting the 20 point 73-53 win.

#4 Once again Cal’s Grant Anticevich led Cal with 25 points with three additional Cal scorers in double figures, Jalen Celestine (12 pts), Jordan Shepherd (11 pts), and Andre Kelly (11 pts).

#5 Cal is off to Stanford to face the Cardinal (8-4). The Cardinal who had their last game cancelled against the Vanderbilt Commodores (8-4) due Coronavirus protocols at the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu. The Cardinal have won seven of their last 11 games while the Bears have won six of their last seven games. This one on Sunday could be one for the ages the way they’ve been playing.

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

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Green, Poole, Lee and Wiggins all out on Covid protocols

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry (30) and Phoenix Suns Devon Booker (1) battled on Wed Dec 25, 2021 for the NBA Christmas Day special at Footprint Arena in Phoenix (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Golden State Warriors Draymond Green is out for Covid 19 protocols as announced by the team today with Green out of the line up how do you see that impacting the team as they prepare for the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night at Chase Center. Andrew Wiggins, Damion Lee, and Jordan Poole all out for Covid 19 protocols with Green.

#2 The Golden State Warriors (27-6) got a Christmas Day 116-107 win over the Phoenix Suns (26-6) at the Footprint Center in Phoenix on Wednesday. This is the second time the Warriors have defeated the Suns this season.

#3 The win puts the Warriors on top of the Suns for the NBA lead by a game with the Warriors having one more win than the Suns in the win column.

#4 Warriors leading scorer Stephen Curry had 33 points against the Suns coming after he scored 46 against the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday. The Warriors battling one of the best teams in the NBA needed all the help that Curry and the offense could provide in beating the Sun by nine points.

#5 Otto Porter Jr scored seven crucial points in the last few moments of the game he got a hot hand and it was the difference in his 19 point game to help Golden State win it.

#6 The Denver Nuggets (15-15) who are playing .500 ball winning five of their last ten games before their game Sunday in Los Angeles against the Clippers will tip off against the Warriors on Tuesday at Chase Center, Barbara tell us how you see that match up?

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

Raiders win another cliffhanger 17-13 over Broncos; Jacobs redeems himself after first quarter fumble

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on a give to running back Josh Jacobs (28) in the second half of action at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sun Dec 26, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Rich Perez

Las Vegas Raiders beat writer

The Las Vegas Raiders (8-7) were down by six points when running back Josh Jacobs approached the coaches at the half against the Denver Broncos (7-8) up 13-7 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Jacobs asked them to give him the ball that he will not let the rock get away from him like he did in the first half fumbling the ball away for a turnover.

Jacobs was granted a second chance he made up for the lost football in the first quarter and he took it to the Broncos on seven carries running for 57 yards on the opening series of the second half.

After nine plays and 75 yards of offensive effort the Raiders hit pay dirt scoring as running back Peyton Barber carried for five yards that gave the Raiders a third quarter touchdown that put them ahead 14-13.

Jacobs carried for 129 yards to help beat the Broncos and the win help keep the Raiders post season hopes alive as they move a game over .500. The Broncos now have lost three of their last four games and this puts their playoff hopes in jeopardy.

The Raiders win helped the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East through tiebreakers. The Raiders victory Sunday marks their second straight game. They also had another cliffhanger edging the Cleveland Browns on Sun Dec 19th 16-14. In three of their last four games the Raiders have held their opponents to just 17 or less points.

On Jacobs getting the ball he was gratetful for that second chance to help the Raiders punch it through for that third quarter touchdown, “Just give me a chance to play the style of ball that I want to play. The offensive line, we all came to an agreement and went out there and did it and executed.” said Jacobs. For Jacobs this was his first time rushing for 100 yards in a single game.

The Raiders play their next to last game of the season against the Indianapolis Colts (9-6) this coming Sun Jan 2, 2021 in Indianapolis 10:00AM PST. The Colts have won six of their last seven games. They had a huge win over the Arizona Cardinals (10-5) Sunday in Arizona 22-16.

Grizzlies boat race Kings to 127-102 finish at Golden One Center; Memphis ends 3 game skid

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) and center Steven Adams (4) are two on one against the Sacramento Kings forward Chimezie Metu (7) in the first quarter at the Golden One Center in Sacramento on Sun Dec 26, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings (13-21) were back in action on Sunday afternoon after the Christmas break. The Kings welcomed the Memphis Grizzlies (20-14) to town in what was hoped to be a solid matchup between the two teams from the west. Unfortunately for Kings fans, the Grizzlies boat raced the Kings at home 127-102 on Sunday afternoon.

In the first quarter, both teams got off to a slow start on the offensive end of the floor. The Kings slow start on offense wasn’t as dire of a situation as it could have been. The Grizzlies also struggled to get the ball in the basket early. The Kings managed to pick up the pace on offense towards the end of the quarter, scoring the Grizzlies 24-20.

Damian Jones gave the Kings the best minutes in the first quarter as he scored nine points. The Grizzlies were led in the first quarter by Desmond Bane, who scored nine points for the Grizzlies.

In the second quarter, both teams played relatively the same. The Grizzlies picked up their play on the offensive end and outscored the Kings 29-26. Neither team had a momentum surge in the first half. The Kings and Grizzlies went back in fourth.

The Kings would lead the game 50-49 going into halftime. Damian Jones had 11 first-half points, followed by Harrison Barnes with 10 points leading the way for the Kings on offense in the first half. The Grizzlies got their most significant contribution in the first half from Desmond Bane, who scored 15 points. It felt like whichever team went on a run in the third quarter would win the game.

In the third quarter, the Grizzlies went on a run. In the third quarter, the Kings defense fell apart as they allowed the Grizzlies to score 40 points. The Kings only managed to score 27 points during the barrage from the Grizzlies in the third quarter.

The Kings would fight back towards the end of the quarter to pull a bit closer, but they would still trail 89-77 going into the final quarter.

In the fourth quarter, it was more of the same. The Kings defense continued to be atrocious as the Grizzlies scored 38 points. On the other hand, the Kings offense only managed to put up 25 points.

It was maybe the worst Kings loss of the season as the Kings core showed no heart down the stretch “This is the most disappointed I’ve been in my 34 years in the NBA” said Kings head coach Alvin Gentry.

As a result, the Kings lost the game by the final of 127-102. There wasn’t much to say after this loss for the Kings. They played without much heart and allowed the Grizzlies to run rough shot over them. The Kings would have to look to Tuesday to game back in the win column.

Up Next: The Kings will host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday at 7 PM PST.