Tag: NBA

Warriors Open Second Half With Dominating Win: Golden State 132-Portland 95

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, right, gets ready to shoot the underhand shot against the Portland Trail Blazers forward Trendon Watford in Portland on Thu Feb 24, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Open Second Half With Dominating Win: Golden State 132-Portland 95

By Barbara Mason

Thursday night the Golden State Warriors (43-17) took on the Portland Trail Blazers (25-35). Going into the All-Star break the Warriors had lost four of five games and badly needed this time off to re-group heading into the second half of the season.

Hopefully Stephen Curry will go into the remainder of the season the same way that he went into the All-Star game. It was raining three’s in the All-Star game for Curry and that’s exactly what they need to see in tonight’s game.

The rest that the team got in this break will undoubtedly benefit the Warriors as they look ahead to the post season. The Warriors will have their work cut out for them in this game. While the Trail Blazers are short-handed without Damian Lilliard and the trade of CJ McCollum they are still a dangerous team with Anfernee Simons the 2018 first round pick.

In the first quarter the Warriors began to pile up the personal fouls. They were having trouble containing Anfernee Simons and Josh Hart. The Trail Blazers took a 22-14 lead mid-way through the quarter which was cut short when the Warriors started to heat up.

Even though Portland was short-handed they did not look at all like the underdogs. The Trail Blazers were shooting at 72% looking very good offensively. It was not a great start for Golden State although they did make up a ten point deficit to trail by a single point after shooting 42%. Portland led after twelve minutes 32-31.

Going into the second quarter, the Warriors had turned a corner and gotten into a good rhythm. After a slow start the Warriors had taken the lead 40-35 in the opening minutes of the quarter. The Warriors had completely flipped this game leading by double digits 52-38 at 7:22.

The Trail Blazers were shooting at one point in this game at 72% but were having some real offensive trouble in the second quarter. Portland made a push at the end of the first half trailing 70-57 cutting a twenty point deficit to thirteen.

Curry had 18 points and ten assists in the first half. The Warriors were very aggressive in the second quarter. Jonathan Kuminga got to the free throw line ten times. The Blazers Anfernee Simons finished the half with 21 points.

The Warriors only had six turnovers and were playing some great defense. After shooting at 72 % in the first quarter, Portland finished the second half shooting 43%. The Warriors had taken control of this game at the half.

Portland is coming off a four game winning streak and they would be coming after the Warriors in the second half of this game. With 4:17 left in the third quarter the Warriors took their largest lead of the game 91-68.

After a very slow start, Andrew Wiggins came to the party with ten points in the quarter. The Splash brothers had 18 points apiece, leading after three 100-73. Off the bench Jonathan Kuminga had 15 points. Curry was right in the middle of every possession with 14 assists.

It was all Warriors in the second half. You could not have asked for more offensively and defensively from Golden State. They had 18 players in double digits. The final was 132-95.

Curry and Klay Thompson finished with 18 points each. Kevon Looney and Wiggins finished with ten points apiece. Another great game for the Warriors bench. Kuminga had 17 and Jordan Poole with 15 points.

This was a great way for the Warriors to start the second part of the season. They have a very challenging upcoming schedule and need to take it one game at a time.

Sunday afternoon the Warriors will be taking on the Dallas Mavericks. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 PM.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Warriors have lost four of last five games visit Trailblazers who have won four straight Thursday

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) goes for a finger roll shot against the Denver Nuggets forward Jeff Green at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Wed 16, 2022. The Warriors face the Portland Trailblazers in Portland on Thu Feb 24th (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Dave:

#1 The Golden State Warriors (42-17) have lost four of their last five games what would you say were the key things to these loses and head coach Steve Kerr did say the All Star break did come at the right time.

#2 What does it do for Stephen Curry and the team’s morale coming off the All Star game after Curry scored 50 points and shined during the mid season classic representing the Warriors.

#3 The Portland Trailblazers are coming off a 123-119 win over the Memphis Grizzlies (41-19) from last Wed Feb 19. The Blazers host the Warriors in Portland on Thursday night and have a four game winning streak.

Join David Zizmor for the Warriors podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warrior All Stars shine at mid season classic

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Golden Warriors superstar Stephen Curry (30) stops to talk with fans at the 2022 Annual All Star Game at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on Sun Feb 20, 2022 (AP News photo)

1.  The All Star comes at just the right time for a struggling Warrior team.

2.  Juan Tuscano-Anderson and Jonathan Kuminga all took part in this weekends All-Star game.

3.  Andrew Wiggins had a bit of a slow start but it was a great honor to be included in this years AllStar game.

4. As often happens when Stephen Curry steps on the court he took over this All-Star game.

5.  Next up for the Warriors this Thursday will be the Portland Trail Blazers.

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

Curry’s 50 Points Propels Team LeBron To All-Star Win 163-160

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Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry, right, shoots for three as Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant tries to block the shot at Quick and Loans Arena in Cleveland during the NBA All Star Game on Sun Feb 20, 2022 (AP News photo)

Curry’s 50 Points Propels Team LeBron To All-Star Win 163-160

By Barbara Mason

Sunday evening the NBA All-Star game got underway and as always it was a star-studded event. Team Durant and Team LeBron took on each other in Cleveland in this wonderful charity event. Team LeBron is playing for the I Promise Program and team Durant will be playing for the Cleveland Food Bank. On top of that the NBA and State Farm will donate $1900 for every assist made during the game which will be divided between the two team’s charities.

On Team Durant the starters were Andrew Wiggins, Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid, Trae Young and Ja Morant. For Team LeBron Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Demar Derozan, Nikola Jokic and Stephen Curry. Team LeBron is favored by 5.5 points. With lineups like this it doesn’t get any more star-studded than this

It was a first quarter of long balls and crazy dunks by both teams and with 3:49 left in the first 12 minutes the score was 34 points apiece. It was very obvious that both teams were having a lot of fun playing but the fact remained that $100,000 were on the line for the winner of the first quarter.

Team LeBron won the first quarter 47-45 and the $100K for the Kent I Promise Program. High score for Team LeBron was the man himself with nine points and for Team Durant was Joel Embiid with 11 points the only player in the quarter with double digits.

The second quarter went to Team Durant winning 300K for their charity 49-46. The Warriors Curry had finished the half with 24 points and was eight of 11 from downtown. The all-time 3 point shooter certainly was living up to his reputation. The game score at the half was 94-93 in favor of Team Durant.

Halftime was a celebration of 75 years of the NBA. It was a celebration of family, of love and a celebration of all the players who have stepped foot on the court as an NBA player and all they have contributed to the game.

The show highlighted the legends of the past 75 years and it was amazing. A few of the names included of course the late great Kobe Bryant. Michael Jordan, Jerry West, Isaiah Thomas, Steve Nash, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, and Shaq O’Neill and the list goes on and on were present. What an incredible gathering of greats from the world of basketball

Curry took over the third quarter with a flurry of threes. The crowd was going crazy, the commentators were going crazy; it was insane. These shots were long and not just barely outside the arc, they were closer to mid-court than anything else. It was pure magic! His 15 shots were the most scored in an All-Star game in three quarters; seven of them in the third quarter. This guy just continues to break records.

The third quarter ended dead even at 45. The game score was 139-138 in favor of Team Durant. It was the Curry show with 45 points and 15 of 21 from downtown.

The fourth quarter target score was 163 points and the winner would earn an additional $150,000 for their charity. We saw more defense in this final quarter with a number of penalties. This game went down to the wire with Team LeBron winning 163-160. It was James himself who hit the winning shot. Curry would finish with 50 points and 16 from downtown.

The redesigned Kobe Bryant trophy was awarded to Curry this years MVP. There could not have been a more deserving, talented or humble guy to receive this award. This year’s All-Star game was a very special one with the diamond anniversary of the NBA being celebrated. Some very important charities will be on the receiving end of this game as well.

The beautiful Kobe Bryant trophy that went to the MVP was also an incredible highlight. So all in all this years All-Star game was one that we will not see for another 25 years.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: All Star Break couldn’t have come at a better time for weathered Kings

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Sacramento Kings Davion Mitchell will not participate in the NBA All Star break’s Rising Star’s Challenge in Cleveland due to suffering from a hand contusion. Mitchell is expected to return to action on Thu Feb 24, 2022 at the Chase Center in Sacramento (file photo from Hoops Habit)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah, going over some of the Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis who is averaging 18 points per game, 12 rebounds, and has 5.1 assists. How important is he since joining the team?

#2 The Kings DeAaron Fox led the Kings with 33 points against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night. When the Kings struggle in some of their games they always seem to look for Fox as their go to guy for offense.

#3 Sobonis didn’t hold back landing second on the Kings leaderboard behind Fox on Wednesday fending of the Bulls defense and scoring 22 points.

#4 Jeremiah the Kings Davion Mitchell has a hand contusion and will not participate in All Star weekend during the Rising Stars Challenge. With Mitchell out that means the Kings will not be represented at all during All Star weekend in Cleveland.

#5 Mitchell will rest the hand and hopes to be back in the Kings next game Thu Feb 24th against the Denver Nuggets at Golden One Center in downtown Sacramento.

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

Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria: Kings return home next week vs. Denver after tough loss Wed night in Chicago

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Chicago Bulls’ Nikola Vucevic (9) dunks between Sacramento Kings’ Harrison Barnes, left, and Richaun Holmes at the United Center in Chicago on Wed Feb 16, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Kings podcast with Tony R:

#1 DeMar DeRozan, Coby White and Nikola Vucevic combined for 80 points Wednesday, as the Chicago Bulls (38-21) defeated the visiting Sacramento Kings (22-38) 125-118 in front of 19,166 at United Center.

#2 DeRozan scored a game-high 38 points, White – starting in place of Zach LaVine – had 31 points.

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

#4 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.

#5 The Denver Nuggets (33-25) who just defeated the Golden State Warriors (42-17) 117-116 are headed to Sacramento on Thu Feb 24. The Nuggets are rolling winning five of their last six games. How do you see this match up next week between the Nuggets and Kings?

Join Tony R for the Kings podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Buzzer Beater For Nuggets Defeats Warriors 117-116

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Denver Nuggets guard Bryn Forbes (6) expands to take a shot against the Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Wed Feb 16, 2022 (AP News photo)

Buzzer Beater For Nuggets Defeats Warriors 117-116

By Barbara Mason

Monday night the Warriors were on the losing end of a beat down by the Los Angeles Clippers. Tonight the Warriors (42-17) were back at Chase Center to take on the Denver Nuggets (33-15) in their last game before the All-Star break. This is their second meeting this year.

The Warriors have struggled on the defensive side of the ball. They have fallen to a shocking 23rd in the league and are capable of so much more.

They are missing Draymond Green but they are looking forward to the return of James Wiseman which is scheduled soon after the All-Star game. He has taken part in five on five drills and with the vast improvement of rookie Jonathan Kuminga there is a bright spot on the horizon for Golden State.

Draymond has begun light activity on the court so good news there. With the return of Wiseman and the play of Kuminga the Warriors will hopefully have some big defensive players on the court next week.

The Warriors got a fast start leading mid-way through the first quarter 17-8. The Nuggets who got a slow start began to heat up as the quarter began to wind down, After the first 12 minutes the Warriors led 33-25 in an impressive defensive quarter forcing four Nugget turnovers.

The Warriors kept up a fast pace in the second quarter shooting an efficient 56 %. The one sore spot in this game were the missed open shots attempted by the Warriors. With under two minutes left in the half Golden State wanted to finish strong. Kuminga and Stephen Curry each had 12 points in the half with Golden State leading 63-54.

The turnovers were 16-3 in favor of the Warriors so they were doing a great job protecting the ball. Golden State had led for the entire half in this game. The team had 17 assists with 20 rebounds. The Warriors had 30 points in the paint so they were getting inside successfully.

The Warriors started the third quarter shooting 55% and taking a 74-61 lead in the opening minutes. After three quarters the Warriors led 86-78.

The fourth quarter saw the Nuggets back in this game trailing by four points in the early minutes of the final quarter. The Warriors did not want to go into the break losing four out of five and so this game was an important one. With three minutes left in the game seven players for Golden State had double digits trying to finish this game strong.

With 45 seconds left in this game the Warriors held a one possession lead 113-110 and the Nuggets had the ball. Denver had never led in this game and with 14.9 left in the game the Nuggets took their first lead 114-113. In a shocker the Nuggets won this game at the buzzer 117-116. After leading the entire game the Warriors just could not close it out.

This had one of the toughest losses for the Warriors this season. The Warriors were great defending the three point line and had seven players shooting double digits. Gary Payton II had six steals in the game. Curry finished with 25 points and the bench was amazing with Jordan Poole the high shooting 15 points.

The Warriors next game will be next Thursday at Portland taking on the Trail Blazers. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00.

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

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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.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Warriors hope to get back on winning track host Nuggets tonight at Chase Center

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Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr seen here coaching against the Los Angeles Clippers on Mon Feb 14, 2022 at the Chase Center in San Francisco hopes to point the Warriors in a winning direction on Wed Feb 16, 2022 versus the Denver Nuggets (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with David:

#1 David, the Golden State Warriors (42-16) suffered a tough loss to the Los Angeles Clippers (29-30) 119-104. The second and third quarters the Clippers dominated the Warriors.

#2 One of the key factors in the game the Clippers were able to shut down the Warriors Klay Thompson who had been in mid to high double figures but only scored seven on Monday night.

#3 The Warriors have lost three of their last four very unusual for them they come back to the Chase Center to host the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets have won three of their last four games and defeated the Orlando Magic on Monday night 121-111. Talk about tonight’s match up with the Nuggets and Warriors.

Join David for the Warriors podcasts each Wednesday morning at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Clippers White Wash Warriors 119-104; Third loss in four games

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry takes a shot over the Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Mon Feb 14, 2022 (AP News photo)

Clippers White Wash Warriors 119-104; Third loss in four games

By Barbara Mason

Monday night the Golden State Warriors (42-16) took on the LA Clippers (29-30) at Crypto.com Arena. Both teams are coming off pressure-packed games. Saturday night the Clippers beat the Mavericks by the score of 99-97 and the Warriors survived a marathon against the Los Angeles Lakers 117-115. Both of these teams have proven that they can handle pressure.

Jonathan Kuminga is playing at a very high level right now and this will bode well for Golden State as we head into the All-Star game and the final months of the 2021- 2022 season. His youthful energy provides a real spark for the Warriors.

Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson will provide the offense along with Andrew Wiggins and Kuminga in this game. Reggie Jackson will lead the Clippers with his offensive skills. With Kawhi Leonard and Paul George out since early February there will be a lot of work for Jackson.

The Clippers have a very good defense and so the Warriors will have to control their ball movement and avoid those turnovers in this third meeting of the season.

The Warriors got a good start with Curry hitting all six of his opening shot attempts in the first quarter. Both teams were shooting better than 60% in a great offensive game.

It wasn’t until three minutes left in the opening quarter that Curry missed a shot. He had 16 points in the first quarter. The Warriors led after 12 minutes 37-34 and finished the quarter shooting at 64% in a high-powered offensive game by both teams.

It was a 61-59 Clipper lead at the half. Curry finished with 26 points in the two quarters. He was 6 of 7 from downtown and was the only Warrior in double digits. Jackson led the Clippers with 12 points. Both Ivica Zubac and Nicolas Batum had 11 points in the half.

The Warriors needed to limit Jackson and protect the ball in the second half. Most of the seven turnovers for Golden State were in the second quarter and came practically back to back.

The second half began nothing like the first quarter for the Warriors. Their offense went cold in the first three minutes as the Clippers took the largest lead in the game 71-61 after the opening four minutes. The Warriors offense had dried up and every one of the Clipper starters were in double digits. After three quarters the Clippers led 94-78.

The Clippers were rolling with one of their best offensive efforts of the year and the Warriors were getting rolled. It is a rare thing to see Golden State on the short end of the score in the third quarter. They had a lot of work to do in the fourth quarter.

Shoot and miss was just about all we saw in the fourth quarter. The Warriors went from 60% to 29% in the final quarter. It was just not the Warriors night. Turnovers, missed open shots, and empty possessions buried the Warriors in this game.

The Warriors will have the day off tomorrow before taking on the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM at Chase Center. This will be the final game before the All-Star game next Sunday.