Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: PGA Commissioner on hot seat; Miami’s Butler “winning would mean everything”; plus more

 PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan speaks during a news conference before the start of the Travelers Championship golf tournament at TPC River Highlands, Wednesday, June 22, 2022, in Cromwell, Conn. Monahan was questioned by PGA players Tue Jun 6, 2023 in a heated meeting regarding merging the PGA with LIV the Saudi golf league without consulting the PGA players (AP file photo)

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 Many of the players in the PGA had no idea about the PGA-LIV merge and that a deal had been made without the players knowledge.

#2 A lot of the players are calling for new leadership after PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan agreed to a deal with LIV the Saudi golf league to merge. The PGA players have a huge problem with LIV because of it’s human rights violations and taking away many of it’s stars.

#3 The Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler says that winning the NBA Finals would mean everything, this is Butler’s 12th NBA season Butler says his teammates are locked on. The Heat who dropped game 1 of the Finals came back and tied the series in game 2 in Denver. The Heat dropped game 3 and the Nuggets reclaimed the lead in the series 2-1 with a 109-94 victory on Wednesday.

#4 New York is suffering smoky conditions as smoke from the Canadian fires have floated into the Big Apple and had an impact on the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees game on Tuesday night. For Yankee third baseman Josh Donaldson said that it was a little foggy but nothing out of the ordinary.

#5 Jessica, game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals are Thursday night in Sunrise Florida. The Panthers have their backs to the wall down 0-2 against the Vegas Golden Knights losing both games 1 and 2 in Vegas. The Panthers have been here before they were down in the first round of the playoffs to the Boston Bruins 3-1 and came back from two games down. How do you see the Panthers chances going back to Florida Thursday night?

Join Jessica Kwong does Headline Sports every other Wednesday night at http://www.sportsraadioservice.com

NBA Final podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Nuggets dominate and early; Jokic finshes off Heat with triple double in game 1

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, passes the ball next to Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler, center, during the first half of Game 1 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Denver. (AP News photo)

On the NBA Final podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokic got a triple double in his first career final and the Nuggets Jamal Murray scored 26 points. With Jokic and Murray provided the offense could this set the tone for this series?

#2 Jokic scored 27 points, 14 rebounds, and ten assists it’s been 47 long years for the Nuggets to make the finals and their finally here.

#3 The Heat who lost by nine points saw Bam Adedayo lead with 26 points, Gabe Vincent 19 points, and Haywood Highsmith with 18 points great shooting but it just wasn’t enough to keep up with the Nuggets.

#4 The Nuggets trailed for 34 total seconds in the contest and topped off with a 24 point lead. The Nuggets also had Aaron Gordon contribute with 16 points and Michael Porter Jr 14 points. They can rely on other players to contribute other than just Jokic and Murray.

#5 Nuggets up 1-0 and game 2 is slated on Sunday at Ball Arena, Jeremiah after watching game 1 did the thin air play a part in the Heat trying to keep up. They’ll have three days to get acclimated for game 2 if that was the case.

Join Jeremiah with analysis of the NBA Finals at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Jays Bassitt said Yanks Judge was stealing tips; Jays pitcher Bass in hot water over LGBTQ message; plus more

Toronto Blue Jays announcers Dan Shulman and Buck Martinez were questioning what the New York Yankees Aaron Judge was looking at during this at bat. The Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt said Judge was getting signals from the first base coach as to what was coming (New York Post photo still)

On the MLB podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

#1 The Toronto Blue Jays broadcasters were drawing suspicions that the New York Yankees Aaron Judge was looking at the Yankees first base coach to get signs on what pitch was coming from Toronto pitchers. They had him on camera looking at something and then the pitch came and he went yard. Blue Jay pitcher Chris Bassitt said the Yankees were relaying pitches and Judge lied.

#2 The Toronto Blue Jays continue to make news as Jays pitcher Anthony Bass said that he believed in boycotting Budweiser and Target for their support over LGBTQ rights. Bass said this has become a political issue and said he didn’t understand what’s the big deal. Fans and critics say that the Jays have only one choice and it’s to get rid of Bass.

#3 The San Francisco Giants Patrick Bailey wasted no time on his 24th birthday Monday hitting a two run seventh inning home run that later led the Giants to a 14-4 win over the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates in the first of a three game series.

#4 Turning the NBA news the Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers is stepping down after 12 years at the helm. Myers 48 said “It’s just time” and is looking doesn’t know what his future holds but felt his time in the position was up and he wanted to move on.

#5 The Denver Nuggets host the Miami Heat on Thursday night at Ball Arena in Denver for game 1 of the NBA Finals. The Heat just knocked off the Boston Celtics after the Celtics came back from being down 3-0. The Nuggets have been off since Mon May 22 and will have ten days rest before taking on the Celtics.

Stephen Ruderman did Headline Sports and covers MLB at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NBA Final podcast with David Zizmor: Heat-Nuggets tip off for game 1 in Denver Thursday night

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler directs traffic while dribbling the basketball against the Boston Celtics in game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden in Boston on Tue May 28, 2023 (AP News photo)

NBA Final podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 David taking a look at the Miami Heat who took out the Boston Celtics in seven games, it was a nail biter for the Heat winning the first three games then losing the next three games and clinching in game 7

#2 In game 7 the Heat were in Boston with the Celtics crowd behind them but they managed to take the crowd out of the game allowed the Celtics to score only 15 points in the first quarter and only 18 in the third quarter.

#3 The Denver Nuggets host the Heat in game 1 on Thursday night. The Nuggets have had plenty of rest having played their last game Mon May 22 that’s nine days rest for Denver is that an advantage or could they come in rusty?

Join David Zizmor for the NBA Final podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NBA Eastern Conference Finals podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Miami feels the Heat as Celtics close the gap

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum throws down against the Miami Heat in game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on Thu May 25, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the NBA Eastern Conference Finals podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 At one time the Boston Celtics were down 3-0 to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals and now have come back to avoid elimination winning two straight games including last night’s game 5 thriller 110-97 to cut the Miami lead down to 3-2.

#2 Derrick White scored 24 points and had six three pointers and it was the three pointers that help make the difference for the Celtics. Marcus Smart had 23 points and five steals.

#3 Also the Celtics Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both finished with 21 points they both were driven for accomplishing a game 5 win.

#4 If the Celtics were to win game 6 they will have come back from three games down and teams who have been down 3-0 are 0-150 and are vying to beat the odds.

#5 Game 6 goes back to Miami Friday night. The Heat will have their fans behind them and the Heat are looking for their key players Gabe Vincent, Duncan Robinson, Caleb Martin and Jimmy Butler to make it happen and eliminate the Celtics. Can the Celts beat the odds or will the Heat take full advantage of the home court advantage?

Join Jeremiah for the NBA post season podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NBA Playoffs podcast with David Zizmor: Celtics escape to stay alive with 116-99 win over Heat

On the NBA Playoffs podcast with David:

#1 The Boston Celtics avoided getting swept by the Miami Heat 116-99 in Miami on Tuesday night. The Celtics led by Jayson Tatum led with 34 points and 11 rebounds.

#2 The Celtics also got scoring help from Derrick White and Jaylen Brown who each had 16 points and the Celtics had a strong second half to hold off the Heat.

#3 What had been absent for the Celtics in the first three games to put them behind the eight ball early and quickly.

#4 Dave game five comes back to the Boston on Thursday night and it might be the best chance for the Celtics to pick up one more win on their home floor but the Heat can put this away in a game six in Miami.

Join David for the NBA post season podcasts Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors return home after racking up 0-6 road trip; Host the Kings tonight at Chase Center

A view of the Golden State Warriors bench on Fri Nov 4, 2022 in New Orleans (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara, how depleted do the Golden State Warriors seem after resting their three key players Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson and taking a nine point 114-105 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night in Pelican town.

#2 The Pelicans Brandon Ingram lead the Pelicans with 26 points and contributed on offense keeping New Orleans in the drivers seat for most of the game.

#3 What was remarkable was Ingram had missed four games in a row due to a concussion and was glad for the timing of getting back in the line up to face the Warriors.

#4 The Warriors Jordan Poole led Golden State with 20 points and nine assists, Ty Jerome had 18 points, and Kevon Looney was the only regular starter that was in uniform.

#5 The Warriors return to the nest tonight at Chase Center and host the Sacramento Kings who are coming off two road wins against the Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets.

Barbara Mason does the Warriors podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings Lose Heart Breaker To the Heat In Final Seconds 110-107

Sacramento Kings guard Davion Mitchell (15) prepares to pass past Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo during the first half on Tue Nov 2, 2022 in Miami (AP News photo)

Kings Lose Heart Breaker To the Heat In Final Seconds 110-107

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday night the Sacramento Kings (2-5) took on the Miami Heat (4-5). Both teams are coming off a win in their last game. The Kings handled the Hornets 115-108 and the Heat pulled off a stunner beating the Golden State Warriors 116-109. The Heat were looking for a little payback after losing to the Kings last Saturday night in Sacramento 119-113 which they got with a 110-107 win over the Kings in Miami.

The Kings played without their superstar De’Aaron Fox who is their offensive leader. There is good news in regards to the knee injury he suffered Monday night against the Hornets. The MRI that he underwent showed a bone bruise but no other structural damage. He missed tonight’s game and there is no other update as to his return.

This game was as close as a game could be. The Heat had a slim 33-32 lead after the first 12 minutes. The second quarter was another one point thriller with the Heat winning it 20-19. Miami led at the half 53-51.

This set the tone for the remainder of the game with both teams battling. The Kings won the third quarter in another one point differential 25-24. It became apparent that this game would go down to the wire.

These two teams were tied at 107 with 12.5 seconds left in regulation. With 1.8 seconds left in the game, Tyler Herro lived up to his name sinking a 27-foot shot and that was the game-winner 110-107.

It was a heart breaking loss for the Kings who fought so hard through the entire game. This game could not have been any closer. The absence of Fox really hurt but the Kings had a great game from Domantas Sabonis and Kevin Huerter both finishing with 22 points and Malik Monk had 19 points off the bench.

The Heat were missing Jimmy Butler with a hip injury. Tyler Herro had the high score for the Heat with 26 points.

Despite the loss, the Kings had a great game just coming up short. Even more discouraging was the fact that Coach Mike Brown saw Herro travel on that last play. All signs point to De’Aaron Fox’s return very soon which is great news for the Kings.

Next up for Sacramento will be the Orlando Magic on Saturday at Amway Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00 PM.

Miami Hands Warriors Third Loss In a Row 116-109

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) dunks the ball during the first half against the Golden State Warriors at FTX Arena in Miami on Tue Nov1, 2022 (AP News photo)

Miami Hands Warriors Third Loss In a Row 116-109

By Barbara Mason

Tuesday evening the Golden State Warriors (3-4) took on the Miami Heat (2-5) looking to avoid a third loss in a row. Golden State needed to pay close attention to their defense in transition and also keeping the fouls to a minimum. The Heat were looking for a little payback after losing to the Warriors last Thursday 123-110 and they got it with a 116-109 win over the Warriors Tuesday.

Tuesday game recap: The first quarter showed some great defense on both sides. With three minutes left in the quarter, the Warriors had taken a slim lead 21-17 but had missed out on some great offensive opportunities. That lead disappeared and the Heat opened up a 25-21 advantage. As the clock ran out in the opening quarter the Heat conducted a nice run and closed out the first 12 minutes leading 33-24. It was a 20 to 3 run for the Heat building a nine point lead.

The Warriors continued to chip away at the Miami lead. Golden State won the second quarter 32-25 and at the half the Heat held a slim lead 58-56. After struggling on this road trip, Andrew Wiggins had a great first half with 14 points. The Warriors continued to struggle with turnovers committing ten in the first half.

Klay Thompson who did not play Sunday but on Tuesday had a productive third quarter as did Wiggins. The Warriors defense led the offense in this game and Golden State saw flashes of that championship team, that great execution the Warriors are so used to seeing but the Warriors continued to send Miami to the line giving up too many points. Heading into the fourth quarter the Warriors had built an eight point lead 94-86. The bench, Jamychal Green, Jordan Poole, James Wiseman and Moses Moody finished the final three minutes of the third.

The start of the fourth quarter was a good one for Kyle Lowry hitting a couple of three’s challenging Golden State. The Heat had 22 points off of Warrior turnovers making this game a tight one 100-97 with 8:22 left in the game. Miami went on a ten point run and took the lead 102-100 with just over six minutes left on the clock. With 5:25 left the score was tied at 104. The Heat were making some crazy shots from downtown in the fourth quarter. It went down to three minutes of crunch time in this game with the Heat leading 112-109.

The final blow for the Warriors was a lengthy review that was decided in favor of the Heat instead of three shots from the line for Warrior guard Stephen Curry. Those three shots could very well have tied up this game. With 9.5 left on the clock Jimmy Butler extended the Miami lead 114-109 and the Warriors had dropped their third game in a row.

The Warriors outshot the Heat, they made more three’s than the Heat but it was the turnovers that once again was the problem. The Warriors have not won a road game this season. Golden State simply ran into a buzzsaw with the Miami Heat. The Warriors could not close out this game, unable to buy a bucket in the final minutes of the fourth quarter

Curry finished with 23 points, Wiggins with 21 and Thompson with 19. Curry had a great game with 13 rebounds but they came up short once again. So far this season Curry has been a constant, the team looking better tonight. They absolutely got some tough breaks in this game.

Thursday night the Warriors will continue to chase their first road win of the season taking on the Orlando Magic. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 PM.

Overcoming The Heat: Kings survive anxious moments to capture first win, 119-113 over Miami

By Morris Phillips

SACRAMENTO–Jimmy Butler’s dunk and ensuing free throw with 6:15 remaining had Kings’ fans feeling creepy, and not in a festive, Halloween type of a way.

More like a take off your costume and head home feeling, Golden 1 Center grew tense and weary with the Kings clinging to a 101-100 advantage after leading by 22 points at the half.

Nightmare on L Street? Could have been had not Kevin Huerter and rookie Keegan Murray stepped up with some big baskets to cool the Heat.

The pair combined for 11 of Sacramento’s final 18 points and the Kings reversed their fortunes in a 119-113 win on Saturday afternoon.

“They came in with desperation,” said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra of the Kings. “They wanted to get that first win.”

Coach Mike Brown exhaled the deepest. His high-energy coaching, seven years experience as an NBA head coach, and four NBA titles as an assistant weren’t going to wear well in an 0-5 start to his tenure in Sacramento. Instead, he was afforded a business-as-usual approach afterwards.

“Doesn’t matter when it comes,” Brown said of his initial win. “Hopefully we can have some carryover going on this road trip.”

The Kings held a lead in the final two minutes on opening night against Portland and couldn’t hold it. A two-point loss to the Clippers and a five-point loss to the Warriors weren’t any easier to digest. Their most recent loss to Memphis brought grumblings that a team thought to be the NBA’s most improved might not be improved at all.

With a win, they have their confidence reinforced.

“It’s big to get the first one,” Huerter said. “Any time you start a year, you get your first win, it’s kind of a big relief. We’ve worked hard, as hard as any other team in training camp. It’s been a long road up to this point. The first four games of the season, we felt like we had opportunities to win. We just couldn’t close the deal.”

The Kings shot 59 percent from the floor in the first quarter and upped that to 63 percent at the half as the Heat’s defense was uncharacteristically absent. That created a 71-49 at halftime that got dismantled in the third.

Domantas Sabonis put up all 18 of his points before halftime, and two quick fouls to start the third quarter. The Kings center fouled out with the game in the balance and less than six minutes remaining in the fourth. But Richaun Holmes came on for Sabonis, and the Kings steadied. That’s when the Heat appeared to run out of gas, a residual effect of their first half struggles.

“We didn’t match that intensity in the first half,” Kyle Lowry said. “They dominated the paint in the first half. We didn’t get back well enough early in the game. They were pushing every time we scored. You could hear their coach saying, Go! Go! Go!”

Huerter led the Kings with 27 points, Murray added 22, and De’Aaron Fox came up gritty with 17 points, 13 rebounds.

The Kings are in Charlotte on Monday to face the Hornets, kicking off a four-game road trip.