Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings defeat first place Timberwolves at Target Center

The Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (left) dishes off the basketball past Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (right) in the first half at Ball Arena in Denver on Wed Feb 28, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 After the Sacramento Kings defeated the Denver Nuggets in three previous meetings you had to wonder if the Kings would be able to pull it off a fourth time and doing it at Ball Arena in Denver would be a tall order. The Kings got beat by 11 points as the Nuggets prevented losing to them a fourth time.

#2 The Nuggets got scoring help from Jamal Murray who led with 32 points and Nikola Jokic followed up with 14 points and 14 rebounds.

#3 Jokic is rolling he scored his 19th triple double of the season and Murray hit 13 of 15 shots and made five out six 3 pointers.

#4 The Kings did their homework on the Nuggets in the previous three games including their win at Ball Arena on Feb 14th. This fourth game Murray and Jokic kept the Kings off balance all game long.

#5 The Kings turned things around on Friday night at Ball Arena in Denver when they shutdown the Western Conference first place Minnesota Timberwolves 124-120. The Kings Malik Monk led with 39 points and Domantas Sabonis followed up with 21 points. The Kings head back to Golden 1 Arena in Sacramento to host the Chicago Bulls on Mon Mar 4th for a 7:00pm PT tip.

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

Kings Wrap Up Road Trip With a Lose to the Cavaliers 136-110

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donavon Mitchell (left) tries to reach in on the Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (right) at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland on Mon Feb 5, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Cleveland Cavaliers (32-16) beat the Sacramento Kings (29-20) Monday night 136-110. Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 29 points. The Kings had a lot of trouble containing the Cleveland long game. The Cavs had 23 triples. 

The long seven game road trip had taken it’s toll on the Kings. Domantas Sabonis had yet another triple double with 19 rebounds, 15 assists and 12 points. Sacramento will be thrilled to be back at Golden 1 Center on Wednesday night.

Game recap: The Kings got a nice start in the opening quarter of the game but trailed after the first 12 minutes of play 39-34. Keegan Murray, who has struggled the past few games had a much improved first half scoring ten points. 

Sabonis had eight points in the half but more impressive were his 11 rebounds and ten assists. He was a basket away from another triple double. Harrison Barnes had the team high in the first half with 13 points. De’Aaron Fox was on the verge of double digits as was Sabonis. 

Despite some nice play in the first quarter the Kings had cooled off in the second quarter getting stomped 35-25. At the half the Cavs had a 74-59 lead. Cleveland was red-hot from beyond the arc with 13 triples and the Kings needed to shut that down in the second half. Sacramento had to lock in defensively getting some stops.

Cleveland continued to shoot more triples in the third quarter and mid-way through the quarter had 17 and the Kings needed more stops and a whole lot more offense. Sacramento got some offense going as well as some stops cutting a 19 point deficit to 13 with 6:01 left in the quarter. 

Sabonis clocked another triple double in the third. As the quarter began to wind down, the Kings were being outplayed on both sides of the ball. The Cavs Mitchell was unstoppable with 27 points to his credit through three quarters. Cleveland led going into the fourth quarter 106-92.

The Kings had some ground to make up with the most important task containing Mitchell in the fourth quarter. Both teams were shooting around 55% from the field but it was those Cleveland triples that were making a huge difference for the Cavaliers. 

The 21 point Cleveland lead had been cut to ten 106-96 with ten minutes left in the game but the relentless Cavs pushed their lead back to fifteen 111-96. With a 126-105 Cavalier lead the two teams began to trade baskets.

 Even open looks were failing for the Kings and they were totally being outplayed offensively and defensively. This lengthy road trip was physically catching up with the Kings and it really showed as this game played on.

After a grueling seven game road trip the Kings now head back home. This was a disappointing game for the team, struggling most of the way. Every starter finished with double digits as did bench player Malik Monk but despite that, the Cavs dominated in every way. 

Harrison Barnes had the team high with 22 points. The Kings just could not contain the 23 shots from beyond the arc that the Cavs hit. 69 points from downtown did a real number on Sacramento.

Post game notes: After winning a game in Chicago against the Bulls 123-115 Saturday night, the Kings capped off a seven-game road trip playing the Cavaliers Monday night. Cleveland improved to a 31-16 record are coming off a win over the Spurs 117-101 Saturday night. The Kings finished off this road trip (their longest this season) with a loss in a 24 point loss to the Cavaliers.

Wednesday night the Kings will be back home at Golden 1 Center taking on the Detroit Pistons. Despite having the worst record in all of basketball, the Kings will not take this team lightly. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Sacramento Kings Outlast Chicago Bulls in Fourth Quarter 123-115

The Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (left) dunks on the Chicago Bulls forward Juian Phillips (15) in first half action at the United Center in Chicago on Sat Feb 3, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (29-19) had a healthy lead mid-way through the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bulls (23-27) and let the Bulls back into the game. They had actually led by as much as 30 points in the third quarter. 

The Kings scoring leader was De’Aaron Fox who had an above average night with 41 points, Malik Monk contributed with 22 points and Domantas Sabonis led with 14 rebounds and ten assists which helped defeat the Bulls at the United Center in Chicago 123-115.

Game recap:The Kings got off to a nice start leading after the first 12 minutes 32-25. Sacramento would really extend their lead going into the half leading 71-52. Sacramento had a nice lead after two quarters but we have seen them drop large leads lately and having to fight their way to wins. This was a 19 point lead but the Kings have been there before only to let their opponents back into the game.

The Bulls cut the Kings 18 point lead in half winning the third quarter 29-20 and Sacramento was against letting their opponent back into the game. The Kings had led by as much as 30 points in the third but the Bulls came roaring back. 

Chicago went on to win the fourth quarter 34-32 but it was too little too late. The Kings held off the Bulls improving their road trip to 5-1 with one more game left on their seven-game road trip. This road trip has been a huge success as the team improved to 29-19 on the season. 

The struggles of King’s bench player Monk appear to be over after a 23 point night Friday and tonight hitting 22. He lit up when his team so badly needed him. Fox was brilliant with 41 points and Sabonis had yet another triple double with 13 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists. 

This was his 31st consecutive game with at least a double double making a concrete argument as to why Fox and Sabonis were not included in the All-Star game. Keegan Murray continues to struggle scoring but did have six rebounds in this game. He has only scored five points in each of his last two games. 

The Bulls did put up quite a fight considering the injuries they are going through. The Bulls Zach LaVine was handed quite a blow facing right foot surgery next week forcing him to miss the rest of the season. It will not be an easy path for Chicago going forward.

Post game notes: Saturday night the Kings took on the Bulls at United Center. The Kings are coming off a win over the Indiana Pacers Firday night 133-122. The Bulls took care of the Charlotte Hornets 117-110 on Wednesday night. The Kings win extends their winning streak to two games.

The Kings will finish up this seven game road trip in Cleveland taking on the Cavaliers Monday night. A win in this final road game would be amazing against a very strong Cavalier team. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 4:00 PM.

Warriors Top Bulls Thanks To a Third Quarter Blowout – Winning 140-131

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is jubilant after hitting a three pointer in the closing minutes against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago on Fri Jan 12, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the Golden State Warriors (18-20) had an incredible win over the Chicago Bulls (18-22) 140-131. Golden State trailed at halftime 75-62 but came roaring back in the second half. They won the second half convincingly 77-56. Klay Thompson had a terrific game finishing with 30 points. Jonathan Kuminga had 24 points off the bench.

Game recap: The Warriors held a slim lead after the first quarter 33-30 but the Bulls came roaring back winning the second quarter 45-29. Chicago took a 75-62 lead going into the locker room at the half. Andrew Wiggins, who started in tonight’s game, and Jonathan Kuminga (off the bench) really saved the day for the Warriors in the first half. The Warriors would have been looking at a far greater deficit had it not been for Wiggins and Kuminga. 

The Warriors really got going in the third quarter winning it 48-20 and taking a 110-95 lead. It was a terrific turnaround scoring 48 points in the quarter while holding the Bulls to only 20 points. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson turned this game around in the second half. Golden State also did a great job protecting the ball in this game. They would eventually finish with only five turnovers .

The Bulls did pull to within six points in the fourth quarter but the Warriors held on losing the quarter to the Bulls 36-30 but winning the game 140-131. It was the third quarter that set the game up for the Golden State win.

It was a slow start for Curry and Thompson who missed ten of their first 11 shots. It all turned around in the second half. Thompson finished with the game high of 30 points with six rebounds. Curry also turned things around in the second half shooting for 27 points and five rebounds. Kuminga had 24 points off the bench.

The Bulls finished with some great stats. Demar Derozan had the game high with 39 points. Coby White and Zach Lavine both shot for 25 points and the Warriors had to fight hard to contain all three of these guys. 

Post game notes: Friday night the Golden State Warriors (18-20) took on the Chicago Bulls (18-22) at United Center. They came into this game after getting slammed by the New Orleans Pelicans Wednesday night 141-105 at Chase Center. The Bulls won an overtime game against the Houston Rockets 124-119 on Wednesday. The Warriors have been frustrated with their play over the past few games losing to the Pelicans and the Raptors and barely beating the Pistons last Friday night.

It will be a quick turnaround for the Warriors taking on the Milwaukee Bucks tomorrow night at Fiserv Forum. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Kings Start Road Trip With Clutch Win Over Bulls 117-114; Fox gets 3 pt buzzer beater for win

Chicago Bulls’ Zach LaVine (8) gets Sacramento Kings’ De’Aaron Fox off his feet during the second half at the United Center in Chicago on Wed Mar 15, 2023 (AP News photo)

Kings Start Road Trip With Clutch Win Over Bulls 117-114

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday night the Sacramento Kings (41-27) took on the Chicago Bulls (31-37) at United Center in Chicago. The Bulls came into this game after a winning effort beating the Houston Rockets 119-111. The Kings had a tough loss against the best team in the NBA, the Milwaukee Bucks 133-124.

In Mondays loss to the Bucks the Kings were faced with the return of Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Kings had the lead at the half and mid-way through the fourth quarter the game was a tight one, the game tied at 108. Sacramento just couldn’t finish.

The Kings had some untimely turnovers in the final three minutes and too many empty possessions. They missed six shots in the closing minutes. The Kings just got by the Bulls on Wednesday night in a four point win 117-114.

In the opening quarter of this game, the Bulls took a 30-25 lead. The Kings had some early turnovers in the first twelve minutes, five in total.

At the half, the Bulls still had the lead 62-53 and the Kings had some work to do in the second half.

As the third quarter came to an end the Kings continued to trail 90-87 but had made up some ground in the quarter. They went into all-important fourth quarter, where the Kings have time and time again come up big.

Sacramento battled throughout the fourth quarter taking the lead with 38 seconds left on the clock. De’Aaron Fox, the NBA’s number one clutch player, came up big giving the Kings a 112-107 lead. The Bulls tied up the game with 12.1 left in the game. Again it was Fox who delivered the final blow with yet another shot from downtown to finish off the Bulls.

Fox finished the game with 32 points and as we have seen over and over this season Domantas Sabonis had yet another double double with 14 points and 17 rebounds. Fox turned out the lights in Chicago shooting a three with 0.7 left in the game for the game winner. Malik Monk finished with 19 points off the bench.

Thursday night the Kings continue their road trip traveling to Brooklyn to take on the Nets at Barclays Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 PM.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Golden State in DC to face Wizards after photoshoot at White House Monday

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, top left, drives to the basket against Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the first half at the United Center in Chicago on Sun Jan 15, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1  The Warriors couldn’t overcome the Bulls in a 132-118 loss at the United Center. Golden State came out flat in the first 12 minutes trailing 35-20. They had a lot of work to do in the second quarter. The seven turnovers in the opening quarter really hurt the team.

#2 Golden State really turned this game around in the second quarter scoring 42 points to the Bulls 24. They turned this game inside out leading at the half 61-59. 

#3 The third quarter was a tough one with too many empty possessions for Golden State. The Bulls had scored 28 points off turnovers and the Warriors continued with these mental mistakes with seven turnovers in the third quarter. 

#4 The Warriors finished the game with 23 turnovers to Chicago’s ten. They did score 20 shots from downtown which was all wasted. 

#5 Barbara, Monday is a big day for the Warriors they will go to the White House for the big photo shoot with President Biden who will recognize the team for their World Championship trophy from last season and it’s off to face the Washington Wizards for a 12 noon tip at the Capital One Center.

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

Turnovers and Fouls Spell Defeat For Golden State Losing To Bulls 132-118

Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) drives against Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole, right, during the first half at the United Center in Chicago, Sun Jan 15, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Sunday afternoon the Golden State Warriors (21`-22) took on the Chicago Bulls (20-24) the second game of this five-game road series. The Warriors will be challenged by the Bulls. Chicago has a couple of formidable weapons in Nikola Vucevic and Zach Lavine. After crushing the San Antonio Spurs Friday night the Warriors could have kept the momentum going into game two of this road trip?

The first quarter answered this question with a resounding No! The Warriors couldn’t overcome the Bulls in a 132-118 loss at the United Center. Golden State came out flat in the first 12 minutes trailing 35-20. They had a lot of work to do in the second quarter. The seven turnovers in the opening quarter really hurt the team that they’ve seen this far too often.

Golden State really turned this game around in the second quarter scoring 42 points to the Bulls 24. They turned this game inside out leading at the half 61-59. With only four turnovers in the second quarter the Warriors started hitting shots from downtown to take this lead after trailing at one time by 17 points.

The third quarter was a tough one with too many empty possessions for Golden State. The Bulls had scored 28 points off turnovers and the Warriors continued with these mental mistakes with seven turnovers in the third quarter. The Bulls took back the lead 92-86. The Warriors continued to foul sending the Bulls to the line which was largely responsible for the Chicago lead.

After leading at the half this game turned around again and Golden State was faced with another uphill climb. A horrible start, turnovers, and the Warriors were beating themselves in this game. Chicago continued to extend their lead in the fourth quarter leading 108-93 with 8:40 left in the game.

Inside of four minutes the Warriors put the Bulls in the bonus. It was going to take nothing short of a miracle to win their first back-to-back road game this season. Chicago’s offense was high octane in the final quarter. They had now scored 31 points off turnovers and Vucevic came unhinged and with 5:15 left in the game had scored 37 points, a season high for him.

With the clock running out the Warriors trailed 120-107. Turnovers and fouls lost this game for Golden State and until they turn this around, they will continue to suffer disappointment.

The Warriors finished the game with 23 turnovers to Chicago’s ten. They did score 20 shots from downtown which was all wasted. The start of any game is critical and Golden State had a horrible start in this game. Klay Thompson finished with 26 points and Stephen Curry had 20 points.

The absence of DeMar DeRozan did not hurt the Bulls. Nikola Vucevic finished with 43 points and coupled with Zach Lavine’s 27 points it was just too much for the Warriors.

Monday the Warriors will be in Washington to take on the Wizards in another day game. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:00 PM.

Poole tops Warriors in scoring with 30 in 119-111 win over Bulls Friday

Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole (3) tries to drive around the Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams (44) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Fri Dec 2, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

Golden State Warrior Draymond Green just missed out on scoring a triple-double on Friday night at the Chase Center in San Francisco against the Chicago Bulls. Green contributed in scoring three pointers as well in the Warriors 119-111 victory over the Bulls.

Jordan Poole who came off the bench to score 30 points and lead Golden State with seven three pointers which helped offensive stars Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Poole gave credit to the Warriors chemistry saying things have changed up a bit and that the team is on a roll having now won four of their last five games.

The Bulls Zack LaVine got a three point bucket with 2:27 left and put the Bulls just one point down at 110-109. Green however would deliver some crucial points to help the Warriors get back into the game. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said that Green’s late basket was the shot of the game and that the Warriors had nothing going during that last possession.

Klay Thompson 26 points and a three pointer that Thompson got a pass from Curry when the Bulls were just down by four points 105-101. Curry was a huge offensive help for the Warriors scoring with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Curry did get into foul trouble after getting six assists. Curry picked up his sixth foul at 1:19 left in the game. What saved Curry from fouling out was the Warriors contested the call and it got reversed.

Poole shot 11-18 and was 7for 13 for three pointers, he had scored in the first quarter 14 points, and got four of the Warriors seven 3 point shots. Three of Poole’s three pointers help put Golden State up 92-76 with 1:50 left in the game. The Houston Rockets tip off against the Warriors on Saturday night at Chase Center at 5:30 pm.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Morris Phillips: Kings looking to snap four game skid against Bulls tonight

Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) gets airborne between Sacramento Kings defenders at the Golden One Center in Sacramento on Sat Mar 12, 2022. The Kings hope to improve their chances against the Chicago Bulls on Mon Mar 14, 2022 in Sacramento (AP News photo)

On the Kings podcast with Morris:

#1 The Chicago Bulls (41-26) fourth in the Eastern Conference against the Sacramento Kings (24-45) 13th in the Western Conference a 7:00 pm PDT tip at the Golden One Center in Sacramento. Kings are looking to end their four game losing streak.

#2 Morris, the Kings take on the Bulls tonight this is after De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 41 points but Sacramento still lost to the Utah Jazz on Saturday night 134-125 in a high scoring game.

#3 The Kings are five games below .500 at home at 15-20 and showing not much of a chance to play catch up ball when they are down by ten or more points with a record of 11-25 in that category.

#4 The Bulls are a .500 team on the road this season at 16-16. The Bulls have the upper hand in the three points total leading the NBA with 37.5%. Patrick Williams leads the Bulls with 50% in six games.

#5 The meeting tonight at Golden One will be the second meeting between the Bulls and Kings the last time they met Feb 16th the Bulls defeated the Kings 125-118 with the Bulls DeMar DeRozan leading with 38 points and Fox with 33 points.

Morris has the game recap tonight between the Bulls and Kings from the Golden One Center in Sacramento at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

DeRozan breaks record set by Wilt, Bulls hold off Kings 125-118

Chicago Bulls’ Javonte Green (24) throws down against the Sacramento Kings’ Harrison Barnes (right) at the United Center in Chicago on Wed Feb 16, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Wednesday, February 16, 2022

DeMar DeRozan, Coby White and Nikola Vucevic combined for 80 points Wednesday, as the Chicago Bulls defeated the visiting Sacramento Kings 125-118 in front of 19,166 at United Center.

DeRozan scored a game-high 38 points, White – starting in place of Zach LaVine – had 31 points, including six 3-pointers, and Vucevic was next with 21 points and 10 rebounds for his 34th double-double of the season.

Javonte Green and Ayo Dosunmu added 15 and 12 points, respectively, for the Bulls. Dosunmu also had six rebounds, six assists and two steals.

DeRozan also broke an obscure NBA record with his seventh straight game of 35 or more points on 50 percent or better shooting. Wilt Chamberlain set the previous mark in 1960-61 and 1962-63 with the Warriors.

Chicago shot 50 percent on field goals for a league-leading 23rd time this season, while committing only eight turnovers. The Kings kept it close by shooting 51 percent, including 12 of 30 from behind the arc.

But DeRozan was up to the task, scoring 12 of his points in the fourth quarter, finishing with a 15-for-27 shooting night for the Bulls (38-21), who are first in the Eastern Conference standings.
DeAaron Fox led the Kings with 33 points, nine assists and six rebounds.

Recently acquired Domantas Sabonis scored 22 points while pulling down 12 rebounds to go with eight assists. Justin Holiday scored 18 points, followed by Harrison Barnes with 17 points, and Chimezie Metu added 11 points off the Kings’ bench.

The Kings return to action after the All-Star break when they host Denver on Feb. 24.