Tag: Boston Celtics

Sacramento Kings game wrap: Despite Amazing Second Half Comeback Kings Fall to Jazz 128-120

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Despite Amazing Second Half Comeback Kings Fall to Jazz 128-120

Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes, right, defends against Utah Jazz forward Kelly Olynyk (41) during the first half at Salt Lake City on Mon Mar 20, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (43-28) took on the Utah Jazz (35-36) Monday night at Vivint Arena. They are currently having some great success on the road winning three in a row. The Jazz ended the Kings short streak with an eight point win 128-120. .

What the Kings saw in the first quarter was somewhat of a shocker with the Kings falling behind 40-19. They did win the second quarter 33-28 but trailed at the half 68-52. Sacramento had a miserable shooting first half and the Kings had a lot of work to do in the second half.

Sacramento made an amazing comeback in the third quarter. After trailing by as much as 25 points they had tied up this game at 88 with just over three minutes left in the quarter. The Sacramento offense had come to life in a big way erasing the huge lead the Jazz had built. After three quarters this game was tied at 95.

The Kings went into the fourth quarter and all eyes would turn to the NBA’s number one fourth quarter clutch player De’Aaron Fox. At the four minute mark this game was tied at 113 with both teams fighting for the lead. With 2:18 left in the game we had a one point game in favor of the Jazz 116-115. Utah would waltz away with this game.

The comeback that the Kings had was amazing but it was that deficit in the first quarter that ultimately lost this game for them. Fox had an amazing second half and finished with 37 points. The Kings only had six turnovers and down the stretch did not take advantage of late fourth quarter open shots and offensive rebounds.

Tuesday night the Kings will take on the Boston Celtics in Sacramento. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Warriors Fall In Overtime To Celtics 121-118

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Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) looks for an opening around Golden State Warriors guard Donte DiVincenzo, left, in the first half at TD Garden in Boston on Thu Jan 19, 2023 (AP News photo)

Warriors Fall In Overtime To Celtics 121-118

By Barbara Mason

Fresh off a win over the Washington Wizards on Monday nighT. This would be a battle of the Titans. Boston features Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown facing off against the “Splash Brothers” Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. The Celtics also have numerous weapons with Marcus Smart, Al Horford and Robert Williams III. The Warriors just couldn’t overcome the Celtics at the Garden taking a 121-118 overtime loss

The first quarter was close from just about start to finish. The Celtics did have a five point lead at one point in the quarter but when the buzzer ran out on the opening quarter it was Golden State that held the lead 26-25.

The second quarter was more of the same. This was a very close game through two quarters and again Golden State led after two by a single point 55-54. Thompson had a great half with 20 points. With 1.1 left on the clock Curry drained a 46-foot three point jumper.

The Warriors picked up where they left off in the first half and with 7:28 left in the third quarter had a 73-64 lead. Golden State had also protected the ball well so far in this game with only nine turnovers. Draymond Green had ten rebounds and Curry, Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole were all in double digits mid-way through the quarter.

The Warriors maintained the lead through the third quarter winning it 34-28 and leading after three 89-82. Curry, Thompson, and Poole had 22 points apiece through three quarters. Kevon Looney and Green had 11 rebounds apiece in a well-balanced game. The challenge now would be to hold off the Celtics in the fourth quarter no easy task.

The Warriors offense began to stumble in the later minutes of the final quarter with too many empty possessions. With 2:19 left in the game the Warriors were clinging to a 102-98 lead. With 18 seconds left on the clock a Curry shot for the win fell short. The Celtics had 0.5 seconds to break the 106 tie and win this game. Boston could not hit the final shot of regulation and this game would go into overtime.

The Celtics got on the board quickly in overtime with two baskets and taking a 110-106 lead. The lead would see-saw in this high caliber game. Boston had struggled for most of the night from downtown but that was not the case in overtime. They started hitting three’s and led 118-113 with 1:02 left. The poor Warrior offense in the final minutes of the fourth quarter as well as the overtime was the straw that broke the camel’s back,

The Warriors are now five and 18 on the road losing a close one. Curry finished with the high 29 points, Thompson (who fouled out in overtime) and Poole both had 24 points.Green had 13 rebounds and Looney had 12.

Golden State will barely have a chance to catch their breath before they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Friday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 PM.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Will Warriors get deal done with team president Meyers?

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Bob Meyers Golden State Warriors team president seen here in this 2017 photo. Meyer’s contract is set to expire in June 2023 and there has been no word on negotiations whether Meyers will renew or not. Meyers has been with the club since 2011. (AP News file photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 Will the Golden State Warriors get a deal done with their president of basketball operations Bob Meyers whose contract expires in June. Meyers contract is entering the final months of his eight year deal while Warriors owner Joe Lacob insists that the Warriors love Bob and hopes he can stay on for a long time.

#2 Despite what Meyers says there is no guarantee that a deal would get done. Meyers is the architect of four NBA Championships for Golden State and a two time executive of the year award winner yet and still the Warriors (14-13) have had some tough patches this season, some tough roster decisions, a $500 million payroll and a luxury tax bill for the 2022-23 season.

#3 Meyers could reach a deal with Golden State because in the case of the Toronto Raptors team president Masai Ujiri who took the Raptors to the championship during his tenure he and the Raptors managed to reach a deal in the closing weeks of the 2021 season.

#4 The Warriors managed to get by the Boston Celtics (21-6) and stay a game over .500 with a 123-107 win at Chase Center in San Francisco on Saturday night. Warriors Klay Thompson led with 34 points followed by Stephen Curry with 32 points.

#5 The hot Milwaukee Bucks (19-6) host Golden State Tuesday night at the Fiserv Center in Milwaukee. The Bucks have won six of their last seven games and are looking for more.

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

Warriors play well on both ends of court beat Celtics 123-107

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Boston Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon (13) drives to the basket against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry during the first half at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat Dec 10, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors (14-13) still smarting from losing to the Jazz on Wednesday, had to face the Boston Celtics Saturday night at the Chase Center. The Celtics entered the game with the best record in the Eastern Conference, 21-6. Boston also had the best road record in the NBA, 10-3.

The Warriors beat the Celtics three straight times in the NBA Finals last June to win their seventh NBA crown. The Celtics came to town with a single obsession. Beat the Warriors. Boston led the NBA in scoring and has one of the best on defense.

Two questions had to be answered Saturday evening. Could the Warriors take down the Celtics? Could Boston show the Warriors they are aiming to play the Warriors again in the finals?

The Warriors answered one of the questions. Even though they are in 11th place in the Western Conference, the Warriors can beat any team when they play well on both ends of the court. The Warriors showed their champion DNA as they beat the Celtics 123-107.

The Warriors’ Splash Brothers, Klay Thompson, and Stephen Curry scored 66 points in the game. The Warriors are 14-0 when Curry and Thompson each scored more than 30 points Saturday night. The Warriors took the lead for good early in the first quarter. Jordan Poole knocked down a three to put the Warriors ahead 15-13.

Boston never regained the lead. The Warriors won the first quarter 33-25. Curry, Thompson, and Poole continued to make buckets to pace the Warriors to a five-point halftime advantage,68-63.

The Warriors were ahead 65-54 when Boston went on a 7-0 run. Curry connected on a three to right the ship. Thompson finished the half with 24 points. Curry had 17, and Poole 13. Jonathan Kuminga was the only bench player to score in the first half. He added four points.

The Warriors, who usually own the third quarter, didn’t blow the Celtics out of the arena Saturday night. They did play well as they won the quarter 27-20 to finish the period leading Boston 95-83. Curry scored the first five points for the Warriors in the quarter.

Boston kept fighting back, but the Warriors defense held the Celtics to 20 points. In the fourth quarter leading 97-85, Kuminga made three straight buckets to propel The Warriors to a 15-point lead 103-86. Boston responded with an 11-2 run to close the gap to eight, 105-97. Jaylen Brown was keeping Boston in the game.

The Warriors had put the clamps on Boston’s other superstar, Jayson Tatum. The Warriors defense held Boston to 24 points in the final stanza to win 123-107.

Game Notes and Stats: The Warriors win improved their record to 14-13. Golden State is now 12-2 at the Chase Center this year, and the Warriors are 11-6 in their last 17 games. Boston’s record falls to 21-7

Thompson’s line was 34 points, five rebounds, and two assists. Thonpson was 14-for-26 from the floor. He made four threes. Curry’s line was 32 points, six rebounds, and seven assists. Curry shot 12-for-21 from the floor, and he made six threes. Poole had 20, Draymond Green 11, and Kuminga finished with 14. 

The Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins missed his third straight game with a groin strain.

The Warriors shot 51% from the floor. They made 13 threes as a team. They held Boston to 43% from the floor. The Celtics leading the league in making three-point shots made 12. Brown led Boston with 31 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. Brown made three threes. Tatum finished the night with 18 points and seven rebounds. He made two three in nine attempts. Coming off the bench, Malcolm Brogdon had 16, and Blake Griffin and Marcus Smart had 13. 

The Warriors start a six-game road trip Tuesday night when they face the Milwaukee Bucks. They then play the Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks, and Brooklyn Nets before returning home. So far, the Warriors are 2-11 on the road this season. They must figure out how to win on the road. Warrior head coach Steve Kerr has his work cut out for him.

The game in Milwaukee starts at 4:30 pm.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings continue road trip in Cleveland Friday

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Sacramento Kings guard Davion Mitchell (15) knocks the Ball away from Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) during the second half at Fiserv Arena in Milwaukee on Wed Dec 7, 2022 (photo by the Milwaukee Journal)

On the Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Bucks outscored the Kings in both quarters in the first half. Milwaukee led after the opening quarter 34-29. They would extend their lead at the half leading 68-61.

#2 This game was tied at 25 with 4:12 left in the opening quarter but the Bucks began to turn things around for the 34-29 lead after one.

#3 An 8-0 run for Sacramento cut the Buck lead dramatically trailing 80-76 with under seven left in the third. After three quarters the Kings trailed by a mere three points 97-94. Fox had a great third quarter and had 13 points along with Huerter and Murray who each had 13 points for the game.

#4 The Kings got another double double from Sabonis. He finished with 23 points. Every starter had double digits with Barnes shooting for 20 points Monk finished with 16 points. 

#5 The Kings continue on this very tough road trip taking on the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 PM.

Join Jeremiah for the Sacramento Kings podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Jazz get an edge on Warriors; Golden State hosts Boston Saturday

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Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) shoots as Golden State Warriors forward Anthony Lamb (40) defends during the second half in Salt Lake City on Wed Dec 7, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Jerry F:

#1 The Golden State Warriors missed three starters Wednesday night when they faced the Utah Jazz at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City. Stephen Curry was out with an ankle injury. Draymond Green could not play with a hip problem, and Andrew Wiggins has a groin injury.

#2 The Jazz thought they could coast to an easy win. The revamped Warrior lineup gave the Jazz fits. Jordan Poole, Klay Thompson, Jonathan Kuminga, and Donte DiVincenzo all played well and their effort almost, but not quite, got them a win.

#3 The Jazz found a way to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat as they found a way and were able to send their fans home happy with a thrilling 124-123 victory. 

#4 The Warriors led most of the way, but Utah came right back. Jordan Clarkson, Malik Beasley, and Collin Sexton led the way for Utah. The teams raced up and down the court. The Warriors head coach Steve Kerr had Ty Jerome and JaMychal Green in the starting lineup.

#5 The Warriors host the Boston Celtics at the Chase Center Saturday night. Last year, the Warriors beat the Celtics in the Finals to become NBA Champions. The Celtics will be hoping to gain revenge by beating the Warriors on their homecourt Saturday night.

Join Jerry for the Warrior podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Celtics Blow-Out Kings 122-104

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The Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) takes a drive around the Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Huerter, left during Fri Nov 25, 2022 game at TD Garden on Fri Nov 25, 2022 (AP News photo)

Celtics Blow-Out Kings 122-104

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the Sacramento Kings (10-8) traveled to Boston to take on the Celtics (15-4) at TD Garden. The Kings are coming off a loss to Atlanta 115-106 from Wednesday night. The red-hot Celtics came into this game after beating the Mavericks 125-112 last Wednesday. The Celtics are the third best three point shooting team in the NBA and were a tough assignment for Sacramento beating the Kings 122-104 Friday night.

Game recap: The first quarter was all Boston winning it 34-23. The Kings had ten turnovers which turned into 11 Celtic points and De’Aaron Fox did not score until the final 1:31 of the quarter.

They would need Fox if they had any hopes of beating the Celtics. The Kings also needed to limit the turnovers because you are not going to beat many teams committing ten turnovers let alone a team with the talent of Boston.

The Kings really settled down in the second quarter. With two minutes left in the half they trailed by a single point. After a terrible start to this game the Kings trailed by a couple 64-62 at halftime in a huge turnaround. Fox came to life with 14 points, 11 of them in the second quarter and Domantas Sabonis had 12 points.

The Kings had great work off the bench from Malik Monk hitting nine points and Davion Mitchell with 10. In the second quarter the Kings only had two turnovers.

The Celtics went on a 16-0 run to end the third quarter leading by the score of 94-84. At 10:12 the Kings tied up the game and actually took the lead for a time but it was short-lived as Boston went on the crazy run.

Boston took this game over leaving the Kings in the dust as they distanced themselves from Sacramento. With 4:30 left in the game the score was 115-90 in a blow-out. The Celtics had gone on a 37-6 run and it was all but finished for the Kings. The Kings went on a slight run but it was far too little too late. The final was 122-104.

The Kings have now lost two in a row, They will next take on the Phoenix Suns Monday night at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings seven game win streak snapped but not drive and determination

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Atlanta Hawks forward AJ Griffin (14) attempts to pass during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Atlanta on Wed Nov 23, 2022 (AP News photo)

On Sacramento Kings podcasts with Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 Wednesday night the Sacramento Kings (10-7) took on the Atlanta Hawks (11-7) at State Farm Arena. The Kings are coming off a win over Memphis Tuesday 113-109 while the Hawks lost to the Cavaliers on Monday 114-102.

#2 The Kings trailed at the half 72-57. Sacramento lost the first quarter 35-26 and the second quarter 37-31. The Kings were struggling defensively and were challenged in trying to contain the Hawks Trae Young.

#3 Although the Kings dominated in the paint it was those turnovers that really hurt them in this game. De’Aaron Fox had a slow start but finished with 18. Malik Monk had a monster game with 27 points off the bench. 

#4 Young had 35 points for Atlanta getting open consistently throughout the entire game. The Hawks didn’t have a great fourth quarter but the Kings just didn’t take advantage of their let-down.

#5  Friday night the Kings will travel to Boston to take on the Celtics at TD Garden. They will get a chance to rest tomorrow after taking on this challenging road trip. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Join Jeremiah for Kings podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NBA Finals: Golden State Warriors World Champions After Beating Boston 103-90

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Golden State Warriors celebrate World Championship victory at TD Garden in Boston after defeating the Boston Celtics in six games on Thu Jun 16, 2022 (@warriors photo)

Golden State Warriors World Champions After Beating Boston 103-90

By Barbara Mason

Thursday night the Golden State Warriors took on the Boston Celtics and closed it out in six games winning the NBA Finals 103-90 at TD Garden.

The Warriors were 0-3 in playoff play when they had the chance to close out a series on the road. On the flip side of the coin the Boston Celtics have a 3-0 record in elimination games.

Teams leading 3-2 going into a game six have an 81% chance of winning. The last team to blow a 3-2 lead however, was the Warriors against the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.

Game 6 recap: The Celtics came into the first quarter on fire taking a 12-2 lead in the opening minutes. A couple of turnovers from the Warriors and a couple of three’s from Jaylen Brown was the difference in this game with a long long way to go. Three minutes into this game Klay Thompson was already in foul trouble and later Kevon Looney would find himself in foul trouble as well with two fouls. In a 17 point turnaround the Warriors took a 27-22 lead after 12 minutes.

The Warriors took a 15 point in the first two minutes of the second quarter. Marcus Smart had his third foul in the quarter but the Celtics were fighting their way back into this game trailing 37-29 with a lot of time left in the second.

Looney picked up his third foul in the second quarter. With under three minutes left in the first half the Warriors had taken an 18 point lead 51-33. Draymond Green was having an amazing game offensively and defensively with five points, five assists and seven rebounds. Golden State led at the half 54-39 with the Splash Brothers each turning in 12 points.

Boston turned a 22 point Warrior lead into 12 in the closing minutes of the third quarter, With under two minutes left in the third Boston had made a real push trailing 76-66 after three. It had been a 16-4 run for the Celtics despite a 17 turnover tally.

Golden State turned it on in the fourth quarter leading 101-86 with 1:30 remaining in the game. There would be no collapse for the Warriors in this game. The Celtic turnovers were a huge factor in the Boston loss. The Golden State Warriors were the NBA World Champions. The final was 103-90. It was nothing short of a finals masterpiece.

Curry was back after a tough game five with 34 points, seven assists and seven rebounds. Green was amazing with 17 rebounds, eight assists and 12 points. This was a real team effort that could not have been accomplished had it not been for every single player on the floor tonight.

A rough start for the Warriors turned into a glorious finish. “I’m so proud of our group. I thank God everyday that I get to play this game at the highest level with some amazing people,” said Curry the NBA Most Valuable Player after the game. “What we’ve been through in the past few years: it’s amazing. We hit rock bottom with injuries. We never take this for granted because you never know when you will be back here” he said.

It was a massive celebration for the Warriors on center court and a tough pill to swallow for the Celtics watching their opponents celebrate on their home floor. There was a huge celebration back at Chase Center with a watch party inside and out.

The Warriors now have their fourth championship in eight years, a level that few teams have been able to reach. They came so far in the past three years, going from worst in the league to world champions making this championship probably the sweetest they have ever celebrated.

NBA Finals/Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors at the top of the mount again defeat Celtics 103-90; Win NBA Championship in six games

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The Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) high fives teammate guard Gary Payton II (0) in second quarter action at TD Garden in Boston on Thu Jun 15, 2022 in game 6 of the NBA Finals (AP News photo)

On Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara:

The Golden State Warriors put away their fourth NBA title in eight years, with a defeat over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden in Boston on Thursday night 103-90. There was no stopping Warrior guard Stephen Curry who scored 34 points and receive the NBA Finals trophy for the Finals MVP.

The win awarded Golden State their seventh franchise trophy since winning their first one back in the 1974-75 season. After winning five straight championships the Warriors cooled off for three season which included a season worst for them three seasons ago.

For Warriors head coach Steve Kerr it was his ninth championship overall including five times as a player, his sixth as a head coach and his fourth title as coach of the Warriors.

Barbara Mason was the Golden State Warriors beat writer for the 2021-22 season at http://www.sportsradioservice.com. Also our thanks for to Jerry Feitelberg and David Zizmor for their podcasts on Warriors basketball this season.