NBA Conference Finals podcast Michael Roberson: Knicks have backs to wall; Pacers can wrap it up Thursday

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) drives on the New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (left) in the second half of game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Gainsbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Tue May 27, 2025 (AP News photo)

NBA Conference Finals podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 The Indiana Pacers just very well might run away with the Eastern Conference Finals after defeating the New York Knicks in Indianapolis on Tuesday night 130-121 in game 4, the Pacers take a 3-1 series lead.

#2 Micahel when you take a look at this game the Knicks were almost watching the Pacers just wiz by them. The Pacers displayed speed, were agile and the Knicks had all sorts of trouble trying to defend Tyrese Haliburton who led with 32 points.

#3 The two teams match up again Thu May 29th for game five at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks have their backs to the wall and have the home floor advantage. The Pacers have the upper hand and can put this away with a win in game 5. How do you see these two teams stacking up?

#4 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did the job against for the Oklahoma City Thunder leading with 34 points to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-94 on Wednesday night to take the Western Conference finals 4-1 and move onto the NBA Finals. The Thunder are making their first appearance there since 2012.

#5 OKC also had help from Chet Holmgren who scored 22 points, seven rebounds, and had three blocks. Jalen Williams scored 19 points and had eight rebounds.

Michael Roberson is an NBA analyst and does the NBA Playoffs podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NBA Playoffs podcast Michael Roberson: Thunder go up 2-0 on Timberwolves

Oklahoma City Thunder Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) who was named NBA MVP before game 2 of the Western Conference finals playoffs led the Thunder in scoring with 38 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Thu May 22, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the NBA Playoffs podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 The Oklahoma City Thunder have done it again with another 118-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Paycom.com Arena on Thursday night in the Western Conference finals. The Thunder takes a 2-0 series lead.

#2 The Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led with 38 points and you can see why he was named the NBA MVP which was announced before game 2 of this playoff series.

#3 NBA Commissioner Adam Silver awarded Gilegous-Alexander the MVP trophy before the game and Gilegous-Alexander went out and scored 12 of 21 field goals and 13 of 15 free throws, eight assists and three steals looks like he earned his MVP and his keep.

#4 The Timberwolves Anthony Edwards was hard at work taking 26 shots to score 32 points. Jaden McDaniels had 22 points, and Nickeil Walker-Alexander scored 17 points.

#5 Game 3 is Saturday and the series goes back to the Target Center at Minnesota. The Timberwolves have their backs to the wall and another loss could very put them out of this series. The Thunder have been in control in the first two games can they put it away in Minnesota?

Michael Roberson does the NBA Playoffs podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals podcast David Zizmor: OKC gets a leg up in game 1 with 114-88 win over Minnesota

The Oklahoma City Thunder Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) takes the ball up the floor against the Minnesota Timberwolves Donte DeVincenzo (0) in game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at Paycom.com Arena in Oklahoma City on Tue May 20, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the NBA Playoffs podcast David Zizmor:

#1 Oklahoma City Thunder Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led with 31 points and in the second half of the game scored 20 in OKC’s 114-88 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves Tuesday night in the first game of the Western Conference Finals.

#2 The Timberwolves Julius Randle led with 28 point but scored only eight points in the second half. Not of enough Randle scoring but the spread was so wide for the Wolves to try and catch up.

#3 OKC leads the series 1-0 they dominated in the scoring in game 1 but one game is not four of seven not. Are the Timberwolves equip to come back and make this series interesting? Game 2 Thu May 22 at OKC how do you see this match up?

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

NBA Playoffs/Golden State Warriors podcast David Zizmor Tue May 15, 2025: Will a Curry return get Warriors back in this series?

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (red jacket) with arms outstretched is in disagreement with a play out on the floor against the Minnesota Timberwolves during game 4 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Tue May 15, 2025 (AP News photo)

Golden State Warriors podcast David Zizmor Tue May 15, 2025

#1 David, taking a look at Golden State heading to Minnesota for game 5 down two games 3-1 in the Western Conference semifinals talk about some of the preparation they will need to get back into this series on Wednesday night at the Target Center?

#2 The other big question for game 5 is will Stephen Curry be ready to return coming off that hamstring injury and how demanding will it be for him to win game 5 and get the Warriors at least with striking distance at the Timberwolves?

#3 Game 5 is up on Wednesday night in Minnesota. The Timberwolves have homecourt they have Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle who have had a great series although game 4 was close one more win by Minnesota could end Golden State’s season?

David Zizmor is NBA analyst at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NBA Playoffs/Golden State Warriors podcast Michael Roberson: Series goes back to Minnesota with Timberwolves in driver’s seat 3-1 over Warriors; Curry expected back for game 5

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Antony Edwards (5) takes a shot against the Golden State Warriors Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) in game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Mon May 12, 2025

NBA Playoffs/Golden State Warriors podcast Mon May 12, 2025:

#1 Is age starting to creep up over experience. The Golden State Warriors just a few championship years back were younger and could back up the swagger. This post season the younger team the Minnesota Timberwolves have the edge as they got by the Warriors on Monday night in game four 117-110.

#2 The Timberwolves Anthony Edwards had 30 points for his second game in row scoring at least 30 points.

# 3 Julius Randle was also a tough customer to shut down scoring 31 points and leading the Timberwolves in scoring. Randle has been key in this series.

#4 It’s pretty evident without Curry in the line up the Warriors are missing his offense and that’s been the part that has been missing to get over the hump.

#5 Timberwolves take a 3-1 series lead back to Minnesota and with Edwards and Randle being that one two punch they could end this series at the Target Center in Minneapolis and get ready for the third round. The Warriors best chances is if they can get Curry back and he’s got to be lights out coming of that hamstring injury for game 5 on Wednesday night.

Join Michael Roberson for the NBA Playoffs podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NBA Playoffs/Golden State Warriors podcast David Zizmor: Curry missing and it shows Golden State missing one piece in line up suffering

Minnesota Timberwolves Anthony Edwards (5) drives to the basket between Golden State Warriors Gary Payton II (0) and Draymond Green (23) in the Western Conference semifinals in the NBA Finals at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat May 10, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the Golden State Warriors podcast David Zizmor:

#1 David, despite the Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry out with a hamstring and Draymond Green getting into foul trouble the Warriors were still in front of the Minnesota Timberwolves by five points in the fourth quarter in game three and it looked like they had a shot at putting this game away.

#2 The Timberwolves Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle got hot with 1:19 remaining. Edwards hit a baseline three point shot and scored 36 points and Randle scored 24 points with 12 assists and ten rebounds and erased the Warriors lead and won by five 102-97 on Saturday night at Chase Center.

#3 For game four the Warriors need to tie this one up or got back to Minnesota down 3-1. Warriors have the home floor at Chase Center how do you see game 4 for Monday night.

David Zizmor is an NBA Playoff analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports Charlie O Sun May 11, 2025: Warriors feeling the pinch from Timberwolves without their star Curry; Celtics close the series gap on Knicks now down 2-1; plus more news

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry can only encourage his teammates as Curry out with a hamstring injury in game 3 can only watch the Minnesota Timberwolves defeat the Warriors at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat May 10, 2025 (AP News photo)

Headline Sports podcast Charlie O Sun May 11, 2025:

#1 Charlie, the Golden State Warriors have gone down with a 102-97 loss in game 3 to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Warriors are like Popeye who lost their can of spinach playing without superstar Stephen Curry.

#2 Warrior top scorers from Saturday’s game 3 playoff game Jimmy Butler with 33 points and Jonathan Kuminga with 30 points as hard as they tried the Warriors fell five points short as time ran out and the Timberwolves move ahead in the series 2-1.

#3 In other NBA news the Boston Celtics cut the New York Knicks 2-0 lead in half with a win at Madison Square Garden in New York 115-93. The Celtics came into game 3 with backs to the wall but their talented corp of leading scorers with Payton Pritchard with 23 points and Jayson Tatum with 22 points righted the Celtics direction. The Celtics can tie up the series at 2-2 as they tip off against the Knicks on Monday night at MSG for game 4.

#4 Charlie turning to Major League Baseball the Sacramento A’s continue to surprise with a five run sixth inning against the visiting New York Yankees at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento and come up with a 11-7 win to tie the three game series on Saturday.

#5 The Colorado Rockies are now threatening the 2024 Chicago White Sox worst loss in baseball record Saturday they got completely trounced by the San Diego Padres by three touchdowns 21-0 if it were a football game. What’s worse the Rockies didn’t score a single run and the Rocks pitching staff got rocked all afternoon.

#6 Rockies manager Bud Black left starter Bradley Blalock out to on the mound to figure things out as Blalock got lit up for 13 hits and 12 runs in 3.2 innings of work before being relieved by Juan Mejia who got rocked but not as bad for six hits and four earned runs in 1.1 innings.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NBA Playoffs/Golden State Warriors podcast David Zizmor: Warriors face huge set back with Curry out of the line up

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) gives the thumbs up sign in the first half of game 1 of the NBA Playoffs at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Tue May 6, 2025 (AP News photo)

Golden State Warriors podcast David Zizmor:

#1 David talk about Golden State Warrior guard Stephen Curry now out at least a week due to a hamstring strain.

#2 Talk about how Curry’s absence will impact Golden State’s offense and the psyche for the rest of the team.

#3 Warriors took game 1 by 11 points on Tuesday night can they do it again for game 2 in Minnesota without Curry?

David Zizmor does the Golden State Warriors podcast each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NBA podcast Michael Roberson: Cavaliers Mitchell to sit out with ankle injury; Blazer GM gets contract extension; plus more NBA news

Cleveland Cavaliers Donovan Mitchell (right) passes the ball as he is defended by the San Antonio Spurs forward Sandro Mamukelshvili (54) in the second half at Frost Bank Center on Fri Apr 4, 2025. Donovan injured his ankle on Sun Apr 6, 2025 against the Sacramento Kings in Cleveland. (AP News photo)

NBA podcast Michael Roberson:

#1  The Cleveland Cavaliers Donovan Mitchell will miss the next game against the Chicago Bulls Tuesday night. Mitchell injured his left ankle in a game in Sacramento on Sunday.

Mitchell stepped on the Sacramento King’s Keon Ellis’ foot at center court and lost his balance and rolled over on his left ankle. Mitchell was in pain and had to be escorted off the floor with the trainers to the dressing room.

#2 Portland Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin was given a multiyear deal with the Trail Blazers on Monday. The Blazers have improved to over 14 wins compared to this time last season. Portland has 35 wins this season an have gone 22-16 since Jan 19th.

#3 New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson who was out over a month returned last Sunday to face the Phoenix Suns scoring 15 points and getting six assists to help the Knicks to a 112-98 win. While it wasn’t Brunson’s best outing he hit three out of nine from the floor and miss some of his jump shots. Brunson is trying to get his rhythm and timing back.

#4 The Denver Nuggets have been snake bitten since losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 1. The Nuggets now have lost three in row since that 140-139 loss. The loses have been piling up since losing to the San Antonio Spurs Apr 2, Golden State Warriors Apr 4, and Indiana Pacers Apr 6. You would think with all that talent they have they would have been able to snap out it by now?

#5 Some fan was getting smart with the Washington Wizards Marcus Smart and it turned into a shouting match. Smart said a fan crossed the line and was heckling the Wizards bench at TD Garden in Boston while the Wizards were playing the Boston Celtics. Smart a former Celtic said, “You never want to see that, especially for a guy who’s coming back and has given the city everything he has.”

Join Michael Roberson for the NBA podcasts weekly at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings Outlast Timberwolves Without Fox Winning 116-114; No minutes for newest King Levine

Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11) takes a shot over the Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first half at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Mon Feb 3, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

There have been some pretty crazy changes in Sacramento this weekend. In the Sacramento Kings (25-24) game Monday night the Kings took the court without De’Aaron Fox who was traded to the San Antonio Spurs over the weekend.

Sacramento came away with Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls in a three-team trade but he will not play until possibly Wednesday night at Golden 1. The Kings really stepped up in the absence of Fox with DeMar DeRozan scoring the game high with 33 points.

Every starter had double digits and hung tight in this game winning it by the score of 116-114 over the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

Game recap: The Kings came out strong in this game winning the opening quarter 38-34 and extending their lead throughout the second quarter. They outscored the Timberwolves in the quarter 29-25 and led at the half 67-59.

Domantas Sabonis had a very quiet first half of basketball. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards also had a slow start and did not look to be back on track at all after illness kept him out of the Wizard game. The Kings had set the pace in the first half of this game and needed more of the same in the second half.

The Timberwolves came roaring back in the third quarter cutting the Kings eight point lead at the half trailing by two points after three quarters 86-88. It would all come down to the fourth quarter and who would outlast the other.

The Kings had led at one time in the game by 12 points while the largest Minnesota lead had been two points. The Timberwolves did take the lead in the fourth quarter at times although by only a bucket each time.

Sacramento had the answer every time as the Kings refused to let this game go. Every time the Timberwolves made a push down the stretch the Kings had the answer. Some brilliant play down the stretch by DeMar DeRozan and a lot of fouls committed by Minnesota sent the Kings to the line a number of times in the final minute sealing this game for Sacramento by the close score of 116-114 in a real thriller. In the absence of Fox, the Kings did a great job and now look forward to Wednesday when they will take the court with new kid on the block Zach LaVine.

The Kings starting lineup did a spectacular job against a very tough Timberwolves team. DeMar DeRozan had the game high with 33 points. He made a monster layup giving the Kings a 110-106 lead with just 30 seconds remaining on the clock.

Domantas Sabonis was back on track with a double double, 11 rebounds and 14 points. Malik Monk finished the game with 26 points and eight rebounds. He knocked down four free throws in the final 17 seconds of the game as well as hitting a pair of big shots late in the game.

Keegan Murray continues to play very well with 19 points and seven rebounds. They only had 12 turnovers and out -rebounded the Timberwolves 47-63 which made a huge difference in the game.

The high for the Timberwolves was Naz Reid with 30 points. This was a season high for Naz who scored 16 of those points in the opening quarter. Anthony Edwards finished the game with 21 points and six rebounds but did not look fully recovered from illness that kept him out of their last game. Rudy Gobert had a double double with 13 rebounds and 19 points. Jaden McDaniels chipped in 22 points.

Game notes: This past weekend has been a wild ride for the Sacramento. They suffered a horrible loss Saturday night against the OKC Thunder 144-110. The Kings saw points from Fox in that game and those would be the last points he will score as a Sacramento King.

Fox was traded to the San Antonio Spurs over the weekend for the Chicago Bulls Zach LaVine, Sidy Cissoko and a slew of draft picks. The Kings did not see LaVine in Monday night’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves but he will likely play in Wednesday’s game at Golden 1 against the Magic.

The Timberwolves will probably have Anthony Edwards and Naz Reid who were listed as questionable on the court. The bad news for Minnesota is that Julius Randle would miss this game, his second straight with a groin injury.

The Timberwolves come into this game after a devastating and embarrassing loss to the worst team in the NBA the Washington Wizards. They will be looking to erase that loss with a win tonight at home. The Kings will be looking for a win on the road without their leader Fox.

After a disappointing road trip, the Kings were thankful to end up with a win over Minnesota and now the Kings will head home for a matchup at Golden 1 against the Miami Heat. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 7:00 PM. The Golden 1 Center will be alive with anticipation in the hopes of welcoming new Sacramento King Zach LaVine on the court.