Mavericks grind out 109-99 win over Warriors

Golden State Warriors Jonathan Kuminga (00) takes a shot against the Dallas Mavericks Dereck Lively II (2) at American Airlines Arena in Dallas on Wed Mar 13, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors (34-31) had to play the Dallas Mavericks (38-28) Wednesday night without two starters. Stephen Curry was held out from playing as he recovered from a sprained right ankle.

The Warriors head coach, Steve Kerr, gave Draymond Green the night off. The Warriors knew they had to find a way to stop the Mavs’ superstar Luka Doncic. Doncic had seven consecutive triple-doubles before Wednesday’s game.

Doncic is averaging 34.6 points per game, 9.9 rebounds, and 9.1 assists. The Warriors’ defense held Doncic to 21 points, three rebounds, and nine assists. The Warrior defense held the Mavericks to 109 points. Normally, the Warriors would win the game when that happens. Not so on Wednesday. The Dallas defense held the Warriors to 15 points in the second quarter.

The Warriors trailed Dallas by six at the half, 48-42. The Warriors never gained the lead. The Warriors played catch-up the entire second half. The Mavericks won 109-99.

The game between the Warriors and the Mavericks was a thrilling display of competitive basketball. The first quarter saw both teams locked in a tight battle, with neither side able to gain a significant advantage. The score was tied at 27-27 after the first 12 minutes of action, setting the stage for an exciting game.

In the second quarter, the Dallas defense kept the Warriors from scoring. Dallas went on a 13-2 run to lead 40-29. The Warriors woke up and started scoring. The Mavs won the quarter 21-16 to gain a 48-42 lead.

As the game progressed into the third quarter, the Warriors knew they had to step up their game. They scored 28 points, matching the Mavs’ score for the period. However, this was not enough to close the gap, and the Mavs maintained their lead at 76-70 as the teams moved into the fourth quarter. Despite the six-point deficit, the fans knew that an NBA team could come back, adding to the anticipation of the final quarter. 

Klay Thompson knocked a deuce to bring the Warriors within four points of the lead. The Warriors didn’t know then, but they would not get any closer. The Mavericks went on an 18-2 run. Dallas led 92-74. Dallas could not be caught. The Mavericks won 109-99.

Game Notes: The Warriors are 34-31 for the year. They have 17 games left to play. They are in 10th place in the Western Conference. The Mavs improved to 38-28. 

Jonathan Kuminga led the Warriors with 27 points, four rebounds, and two assists. He also connected on two threes from downtown. Kuninga has scored 20 points or more in seven of his last nine games. Andrew Wiggins had 17 points and five boards. Trayce Jackson-Davis tallied 10 points and nine rebounds. Brandin Podzienski had 11 points, five rebounds, and six assists.

Podzienski knocked down two three. Chris Paul had nine, and Klay Thompson ended with eight. The Dallas defense made sure Thompson had to work to get his shots. With Curry out, Dallas kept the clamps on Thompson.

The Warriors shot 40% from the floor and made nine threes in 28 attempts. They outrebounded the taller Maverick team 53-47. The Mavs blocked 13 shots to deter the Warriors’ attack.

The other key performers for Dallas were Kyrie Irving, PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively, and Josh Green. All were in double figures. 

The Warriors finish the three-game road trip on Saturday when they play the Los Angeles Lakers. The game will start at 5:30 pm.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Warriors tip off against Mavericks tonight in Dallas

Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) goes for the basket against the San Antonio Spurs forward Zach Collins (left) in the second half at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio (AP News photo)

On Golden State Warriors Podcast with David:

#1 Dave, the Golden State Warriors (34-30) and San Antonio Spurs (14-51) completed a home at home with the Warriors losing the first game at Golden State 126-113 and taking the second game in San Antonio 112-102 on Monday night. Was this the tale of two different Warriors teams or it just boils down to Stephen Curry being out of the line up.

#2 Top scorers for the Warriors on Monday Jonathan Kuminga with 22 points and Klay Thompson with 21. Talk about Kuminga’s role and coming off the bench seems to be much better for Thompson.

#3 Up next for Golden State the Dallas Mavericks (37-28) who are in eighth place in the Western Conference. The Mavericks have won five of their last ten and are on a three game win streak. How do you see this one playing out tonight at 5:30 pm PDT?

Join David Zizmor for exclusive coverage on the Golden State Warriors podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors Postpone Fridays Matchup Against the Dallas Mavericks

Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic who passed on Wed Jan 17, 2024 is seen here on Fri Oct 14, 2024 during practice preparing for a game against the Denver Nuggets. The Warriors have postponed their game against the Dallas Maverick for Fri Jan 19, 2024 (AP file photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Golden State Warriors are still reeling from the sudden loss of assistant coach Dejan Milojevi Wednesday morning from a diagnosed heart attack. Despite immense life-saving efforts Tuesday night, the medical staff was unable to save him due to the damage to his heart and he passed on Wednesday morning. 

In a world of an especially high-pressured environment like basketball he brought joy, light, energy and passion to all who had the pleasure of working with him. He will be immensely missed. 

This event shook the Warriors and their organization to the core. There were no apparent issues leading up to Milojevi’s cardiac event and the unexpected nature of his death tugged at the heart strings of the basketball world. 

The entire staff at Sports Radio joins the sports world in sending our heartfelt condolences to his wife Natasa and their young children; his son Nikola and daughter Masa. We stand with you and grieve with you in this time of unfathomable loss. 

This is the second game postponed since Dejan’s passing. The Wednesday night game vs the Utah Jazz was cancelled and tonight’s game against the Dallas Mavericks has also been cancelled as the team struggles with this harsh reality which will reverberate for some time. 

As the team deals with this loss there is no timeline for makeup games with Utah and Dallas. The next game that Golden State is scheduled for is not until next Wednesday January 24 against the Atlanta Hawks at Chase Center. 

The team has taken a week off in the wake of Dejan’s passing and taking the court again will indeed be a most difficult task especially their first game back without him.

Teams across the league honored Dejan at their games including the Celtics, Lakers, Pistons, Mavericks and the Raptors and more teams are certain to do the same. A moment of silence was observed at many of these games. He made such an enormous impact on so many in a life cut short but at the same time so well-lived.  

Totally unexpected events such as the death of Dejan Milojevi has left his family, his team and millions of fans as well as the sports world in a daze coping to accept and cope with the loss. Thoughts from around the world send strength and prayers to the Warriors and his family, clinging to all that Dejan brought to his sport and thanking him for all the contributions, the joy and the love he demonstrated everyday.   

Barbara Mason is a Golden State Warriors beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Warriors cancel game against Mavericks on Friday night

Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic passes the ball before an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in San Francisco. Milojević has been hospitalized in Salt Lake City after suffering a medical emergency on Tuesday night, the team said Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. The seriousness of the situation led the NBA to postpone Wednesday’s game between the Warriors and the Utah Jazz. (AP Photo/Darren Yamashita, File)

On the Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Jerry, You have worked as a trainer with the Oakland A’s before and are familiar with medical emergencies. Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic 46, whose a native Serbian suffered a cardiac related illness according to numerous European news outlets.

#2 Jerry apparently this happened at a private dinner in Salt Lake City with the players present the shock that something like this causes no doubt no one was thinking about basketball?

#3 The Warriors have had a laundry list of problems all season long now coach Milojevic’s medical emergency will be the forefront of concern for the Warriors it’s just been that rough of a season for Golden State.

#4 Milojevic joined head coach Steve Kerr and the Warriors during the 2021 season this is his third season with Golden State and is very popular in the NBA circles and is close to native Serbian Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.

#5 The Warriors game for Wednesday was postponed due to coach Milojevic’s medical emergency and the Warriors next game is postponed for this Friday against the Dallas Mavericks.

Join Jerry Feitelberg for the Golden State Warriors podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors podcast with Michael Roberson: Milojevic was well liked in NBA circles with players, coaches, fans, and NBA

Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic holds the ball during practice before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tue Mar 28, 2024. Milojevic passed away from a medical emergency on Wed Jan 17, 2024 in Salt Lake City (AP News photo)

On the Golden State Warriors podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Michael, Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic 46, whose a native Serbian suffered a cardiac related illness according to numerous European news outlets.

#2 Michael apparently this happened at a private dinner in Salt Lake City with the players present the shock that something like this causes no doubt no one was thinking about basketball?

#3 The Warriors have had a laundry list of problems all season long now coach Milojevic’s medical emergency will be the forefront of concern for the Warriors it’s just been that rough of a season for Golden State.

#4 Milojevic joined head coach Steve Kerr and the Warriors during the 2021 season this is his third season with Golden State and is very popular in the NBA circles and is close to native Serbian Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.

#5 The Warriors game for Wednesday was postponed due to coach Milojevic’s medical emergency and the Warriors next game is scheduled is Friday against the Dallas Mavericks considering if Milojevic’s condition improves that game might be played?

Join Michael Roberson for the Golden State Warriors podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors looking to snap 3 game skid Tuesday against Magic at Chase

The Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) takes a shot against the Dallas Mavericks guard Josh Green (8) in first half action at Chase Center in San Francisco Sat Dec 30, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Dallas Mavericks handed Golden State their third straight loss Saturday 132-122. The Mavericks Luka Doncic lead with 39 points and the Warriors just couldn’t shut him down.

#2 Doncic also had ten assists and eight rebounds he was carrying a lot of the weight for the Mavericks that got them the ten point win.

#3 The Warriors Stephen Curry who had 18 points in the previous game against the Miami Heat led the Warriors in scoring on Saturday against the Mavericks with 25 and had seven assists.

#4 The Warriors Chris Paul 24 points it was his most this season and with that effort became the 37th player in NBA history to surpass the 22,000 point mark.

#5 The Warriors take a three game loss streak into Tuesday night’s game at the Chase Center they’ll host the Orlando Magic. The Magic are holding their own this season fourth in the Eastern Conference and have won five of their last 11 games. The defense has been a concern for Golden State do you see this being a close game on Tuesday?

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

Warriors Fall To Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks 132-122

The Dallas Mavericks Luca Doncic (77) takes a jump shot against the Golden State Warriors Andrew Wiggins (22) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat Dec 30, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Luca Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks (19-14) scored 39 points and eight rebounds en-route to a win over the Golden State Warriors (15-17) 132-122. Golden State trailed from the beginning and never caught up. Again Warrior guard Stephen Curry got a slow start coming away with yet another disappointing first half. 

Teams are constantly double teaming Curry and the rest of the roster has to step up and they did not. Chris Paul, starting tonight, had a great game scoring 24 points. Klay Thompson continues to struggle taking the “Splash Brothers” out of the equation. Tonight he finished with three points.

Saturday night Chase Center was rocking as the Warriors took on the Mavericks. It was a huge challenge for the Warriors in this game containing Doncic. Double teaming him was the order of the day for Golden State. He had some great support in Dante Exum and Dereck Lively II and off the bench Josh Green is always a threat.

 The Warriors starting roster looked a bit different with the dependable Chris Paul and the red-hot Trayce Jackson-Davis starting tonight. The Warriors couldn’t keep Doncic under wraps that who led Dallas with 39 points towards their victory.

Game recap: The Mavericks took a 34-26 lead to finish the first quarter. Dallas is an outstanding road team and presents all sorts of problems for home teams. The Mavericks would go on to win the second quarter 29-28 in a closely contested quarter. At the half, Dallas held a 63-54 lead. The Warriors continued to hang around in this game and they were hitting nearly half of their points in the paint but just couldn’t get enough going to take the lead. 

Dallas edged the Warriors as the third quarter came to an end 38-35, still leading 101-89. This game would come down to the fourth quarter and Golden State needed some stops and getting some support for Curry could decide this game. 

The clock was running down and the Warriors were fighting to take the lead trailing 125-119 with 1:31 left in the game. Thompson did not make any impact in this game finishing with three points and two rebounds. As the clock wound down, there would be no run for Golden State, and no win losing this game 132-122. Golden State had their eighth home loss and their third loss in a row.

Every starter with the exception of Thompson scored in double digits. Curry had the team high with 25 points and Paul who started tonight had a terrific game with 24 points. Jackson-Davis finished with 17 points and Jonathan Kuminga also had a nice game with 16 points and was one of three players with nine rebounds. 

Off the bench both Dario Saric and Brandin Podziemski both had nine rebounds also. Golden State did out-rebound the Mavericks.  The Warriors only had 11 turnovers so ball protection was very good. The change in the starting roster was designed to give the team a defensive boost but it did not materialize in this game. 

The Warriors just could not handle Doncic who finished with 39 points and 10 rebounds. Three bench players finished with double digits for Dallas. Josh Green had 18 points, Tim Hardaway Jr. had 16 and Grant Williams finished with 10 points so some nice work from the Dallas bench.

The Warriors will continue their home-stand, their longest of the season, next Tuesday. They will be looking to get back on the winning track in 2024 as they take on the Orlando Magic with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Early Turnovers and Poor Offense Factor in Warrior’s Loss to Heat 114-102; Golden State takes second loss in a row

The Miami Heat’s guard Tyler Herro (14) goes up for a shot against the Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) at Chase Center in San Francisco on Thu Dec 28, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Despite eight Golden State Warrior (15-16) players scoring in double digits it was not enough to get past the Miami Heat (19-12). Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson each had 13 points, a low for both of them. The Heat dominated in the second half shooting at 48% to the Warriors 42%. The final was 114-102. The Warriors eight game home winning streak had come to an end.

Thursday night the Warriors took on the Heat at Chase Center. The Heat are playing great basketball getting past another red-hot team, Philadelphia, 119-113 on Monday. They got some great work from Jaime Jaquez Jr. who scored the team high with 31 points. Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro both had terrific game as well. 

The Warriors fell short against the Denver Nuggets in a close contest on Christmas Day 120-114. The Warriors have been fighting to work their way into the top eight in the Western Conference but it has been a tough go. They are currently in a tie for tenth place in an extremely tight conference where 7 1/2 games separate first through eleventh. Golden State has some work to do.

Game recap: The Heat got a quick start and established an eight point lead before the Warriors went on a nice run in the first quarter and after the first 12 minutes of play Golden State led 25-22. 

The Warriors only had two turnovers in the opening quarter but it got ugly in the second quarter when they had seven turnovers. The Heat took their largest lead of the game at the three minute mark 54-40. The Warriors fought back in the quarter and cut the Miami lead in half trailing 58-51 at the half. The Warriors had some work to do in the second half of this game. 

The Warriors had to do a better job of taking care of the ball in the second half. The Heat finished the half with a single turnover giving them a definite edge. Curry was the only Warrior in double digits with 10 points. 

Adebayo and Herro both had double digits for the Heat at halftime. The Warriors had to try to stay out of foul trouble already committing nine fouls in the first half. The Heat had done a great job protecting the ball and forcing turnovers would be a real challenge for the Warriors.

Golden State had outshot the Heat, they had more three’s than the Heat and the had out-rebounded Miami. It was those pesky turnovers that was making things tough for the Warriors.

After being down fourteen, the Warriors were getting close in the third quarter but just were not able to take the lead. They had shut down the turnovers through the first four minutes of play in the third but let the Heat begin to extend their lead and at 8:20 Miami led 69-61.

 The Warriors chipped away at the Heat lead but Miami always answered. Just as the Warriors would make some headway the Heat came up with some big plays making the Warriors pay every time. Despite some excellent Golden State defense, the Heat came up with some great offense taking a 12 point lead 82-70 with four minutes left in the quarter.

There was not much going in for the Warriors missing a lot of shots. Offensively Golden State had gone ice cold. When the third quarter came to an end the Heat were shooting 52 % to the Warriors 41%. Miami had their largest lead of the game after three 91-76. Golden State had protected the ball well in the quarter with only one turnover.

It was Miami that had all the moves to start the fourth quarter leading 95-76 and Golden State had to get some offense going. Miami just opposed their will on the Warriors building on their lead and just like that had a 20 point lead 100-80 at 8:02. 

It had been all Heat in the second half and the clock was affording the Warriors no favors with 5:34 left in the game. The Warriors had spurts of offense but nothing consistent and Golden State had three minutes left in the game trailing by the score of 107-93.

It was a slow night for Curry and Thompson both of them struggling. The Heat doubled and even tripled Curry all night. It was an off night all the way around for the Warriors. Miami controlled the pace and tempo of the game. 

Eight Golden State players finished with double digits but it was not enough to get past the Heat who knocked the Warriors off rhythm all night. Four Warrior bench players scored in double digits with Andrew Wiggins and Moses Moody finishing with 11 apiece.

The Warriors will face another challenge Saturday night when they take on the Dallas Mavericks at Chase. Golden State will be looking to get back on rhythm as they take on the sixth place Mavericks. Curry and Thompson will be looking for some improved energy in this game.  Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM.

   

Kings Offense Shines In Win Over Mavericks 129-113; Sac picks up sixth win in a row in Dallas

Sacramento Kings De’Aaron Fox (5) runs up the court against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center in Dallas on Sun Nov 19, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (8-4) won the final three quarters in their matchup against the Dallas Mavericks (9-5) finishing them off 129-113. Every starter finished in double digits and displayed a great defensive effort in the win against a very tough Dallas squad.

The Kings got their sixth win in a row Sunday night in Dallas taking on the Mavericks . Sacramento was able to contain Luka Doncic who averages 41 points per game, also recording 11.5 rebounds and nearly nine assists. Doncic led the Mavericks in scoring with 25 points.

In the Kings last few outings Domantas Sabonis has come away with 16 rebounds against the Lakers and 14 versus the Spurs so he can hold his own. He also delivers offensively and of course the Kings are now whole with the return of De’Aaron Fox who scored 43 points Friday night against the Spurs. He seems to step up bigger with every game since his return. The Kings showed that they have the talent to beat the Mavericks.

Game recap: The first quarter of this game was a close one with the Mavericks edging out the Kings 36-35. The Kings won the second quarter 35-29 and at the half Sacramento had a 70-65 lead. Every starter for Sacramento was in double digits at halftime with the exception of Harrison Barnes who was on the cusp with nine points.

The Kings were on point and had to carry this into the second half of the game. The Mavericks are in second place in the Western Conference tied with the Nuggets. The Kings could not afford any sort of let-down against Dallas in the second half.

The two teams battled back and forth in the third quarter with the Kings leading by slim margins for most of the quarter. In the final two minutes of the quarter Sacramento began to edge ahead leading after three quarters 107-96. Every King starter had double digits and off the bench Malik Monk had 12 points. They now had to keep up the pressure going into the final quarter of the game.

The Kings continued to extend their lead in the fourth quarter little by little leading 114-99 with 8 1/2 minutes left in the game. Each team had nine turnovers going into the fourth protecting the ball well on both sides.

Sabonis had recorded another double double with 11 rebounds and 28 points. The Kings had to dig deep to retain this lead against one of the best teams in the NBA. The Kings offensive effort continued through to the finish of this game. They won the quarter 22-17 and finished off the Mavericks 129-113. This was a terrific win for the Kings and was their sixth win in a row.

The Kings beat the Mavericks at every turn from shots from the field, to shots from beyond the arc and rebounds. They did have a few more turnovers, with 13, then Dallas but they had a consistent effort throughout the entire game offensively and defensively.

Sacramento did a good job containing Doncic and Kyrie Irving. The high for the Kings was Sabonis with 32 points and 13 rebounds. Fox had 30 points in an outstanding win.

After Sunday’s game, the Kings will head into Louisiana to take on the New Orleans Pelicans Monday night, in search of a seventh straight win. Zion Williamson did not play in their game Saturday being rested and they did not play in today’s game.

The Kings will more than likely see Williamson in Monday’s game. The Pelicans will be rested but the Kings will also be riding high with a lot of confidence after Sunday’s win. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Kings Beat Spurs In a Thriller 129-120; Sac on a five game win streak, face Mavericks in Dallas Sunday

The Sacramento Kings De’Aaron Fox (5) tries to get a drive in on the San Antonio Spurs Jeremy Sochan (right) at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Fri Nov 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (7-4) beat the San Antonio Spurs (3-9) in a game that was close until the final minutes of the game. This was their fifth win in a row in an amazing resilient effort winning 129-120. The Kings handed the Spurs their seventh loss in a row. De’Aaron Fox finished with 43 points.

The Sacramento Kings (7-4) took on the San Antonio Spurs (3-9) Friday night at Frost Bank Center . They continue their road trip after beating the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday night 125-110 at times leading the Lakers by as much as 20. LeBron James did a great job in the fourth quarter attempting to lead his team to a comeback but fell short. The Kings held on for the win in a great start to this current road trip.

Game recap: The Spurs got a fast start leading 9-0 inside of two minutes forcing Head Coach Mike Brown and the Kings to take an early timeout. The Spurs didn’t back down at all and the Kings were having offensive trouble from the start. Halfway through the first quarter the Spurs were already 4 of 6 from downtown leading 23-7.

With a couple minutes left in the first quarter the Kings chipped away at the Spurs lead and when the clock expired Sacramento trailed by two points 31-29. They had a nice turnaround after trailing by quite a significant margin.

One minute into the second quarter, the Kings had taken their first lead of the game 33-31. Sacramento continued to hang onto the lead in the first half of the quarter. The Spurs refused to go away and mid-way through the quarter had taken back the lead 43-42. The Kings battled back and this game was tied at 62 when the the first half came to an end.

The Kings owned most of the third quarter taking as much as a 16 point lead mid-way through the quarter. The Spurs turned the quarter around trailing by four points with just over three minutes left in the third.

San Antonio continued to threaten cutting the King lead to a single point 88-87. With under two minutes left in the third Malik Monk hit his 5th three of the night. Every time the Kings built a lead, the Spurs erased it and after three quarters the Kings held a 95-94 lead. The Spurs had overcome a 16 point deficit.

The Spurs took the lead to start the fourth quarter 98-95. Seconds later this game was tied at 98 and the Kings Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes and Keegan Murray were desperately needed to step up in this game.

As the final quarter wore on, this was anybody’s game. In the final minutes Sacramento pulled it all together with some great defense winning a very challenging game 129-120. The Spurs had a great game and very nearly pulled off a win.

The Spurs Zach Collins had the high for the game with 28 points and the remarkable Victor Wembanyama had 27 points and 9 rebounds.

De’Aaron Fox finished the game with 43 points, eight rebounds, seven assists shooting at 58% from the field. This guy just seems to play better and better with every game . There was absolutely no rust to shake off after he missed five games with an ankle injury just coming back three games ago.

The Kings have now won five games in a row and will take on the Dallas Mavericks next Sunday with tipoff scheduled for 4:30 PM. This will be the ultimate challenge for Sacramento and they will need all hands on deck for this one.