Tag: Sports Radio Service

LaVine and the Kings Trounce Heat 127-111

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Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine (left) takes a shot over the Miami Heat guard Dru Smith (12) at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Sat Dec 6, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Saturday night the Sacramento Kings (6-17) played an impressive game beating the Miami Heat (14-10) 127-111. They started Maxime Raynaud in place of Drew Eubanks and the rookie did not disappoint finishing with a double double.

Russell Westbrook also had a double double but it was Zach LaVine who came unleashed scoring 42 points after only scoring two points against the Rockets last Wednesday. He was tremendous as the team outscored the Heat in the first three quarters of the game to clinch the win.

Game recap: The Kings got down to business from the get-go taking a 34-31 lead after the first 12 minutes of play. They kept the pressure on the second quarter outscoring the Heat 38-24 and taking a 72-55 lead at the half. As expected Raynaud started the game.

It was a terrific first half for Sacramento with their “new look” which certainly appeared to be working for them. They played with great energy and passion from the start of the game and would need to take that energy into the second half of the game where they have struggled this season.

The Kings outscored the Heat in the third quarter 29-23 taking a 101-78 lead into the fourth quarter. Sacramento had led by as much as 28 points in the second half. They finished the game with only 11 turnovers.

They hit 14 three’s, 42% to the Heat’s nine which was 29% and Sacramento also had ten steals. Despite the dominating play they still stumbled a bit. at the line only hitting 15 of 21 for 71%. The final was 127-111 in favor of the Kings playing a complete game.

The hero of the game was LaVine who finished with 42 points. Both Russell Westbrook and Raynaud had double doubles. Westbrook had 12 rebounds and ten assists and Raynaud finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds, another terrific game for the rookie. The team high for the Heat was Norman Powell who scored 18 points.

Game notes: Saturday night in Miami, the Kings matched-up with the Heat at Kaseya Center. Both teams are struggling with injuries right now, the Kings were still without Dennis Schroeder and Domantas Sabonis.

The Heat will be without Tyler Herro, Terry Rozier, Pelle Larsson and Davion Mitchell. The Kings had lost their last four games before beating the Heat on Saturday night and the Heat continue to struggled losing now four of their last five games which followed a six-game winning streak.

The Heat came into this game losing a heart-breaker to the Orlando Magic Friday night 106-105. The Kings lost to the Houston Rockets Wednesday night 121-95. The Kings made a change in the starting lineup considering the way this season has gone and it makes total sense with the emergence of bench player rookie Maxime Raynaud and the brilliant play we have seen from this guy.

With so many devastating injuries the Kings have struggled with getting any sort of rhythm going with different players on the floor game to game. It is without doubt that Raynaud has been a standout scoring 25 points Wednesday night against the Rockets. On Saturday against the Heat Raynaud came up with 12 points and the Kings scoring leader was Zack LaVine with 42 points.

Drew Eubanks has filled in as center in place of the injured Domantas Sabonis but he has been ok at best he had four points on Saturday and Raynaud continues to excel at a crazy rate. His time is right around the corner, it is eminent.

Monday the Kings will travel to Indiana for a game with the Pacers. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 4:00 PM.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Bears remain Golden & Undefeated at home as they beat Pacific Tigers, 67-61

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Pacific Tigers Justin Rochelin (1) drives to the paint for a layup, but is heavily contested on defense by Golden Bears Chris Bell (22) (Photo by Michael Villanueva Sports Radio Service)

By Michael Villanueva

BERKELEY -Happy first Saturday of December in the Berkeley Hills, where the Cal Bears defeated the Pacific Tigers 67-61 in a matinee where they had faced off at 2 p.m Saturday afternoon. In a game featuring two teams on four-game winning streaks.

Pacific enters the weekend on a roll, having won four straight games, including a solid 80-65 road win over the Air Force Falcons on December 3. Elias Ralph had dropped 31 points in Pacific’s victory. The Tigers have held their own on the road, going 2-2 and averaging 75.0 points per game while outscoring opponents by 10.0 points.

On the other side, the Golden Bears have been nearly untouchable at Haas Pavilion, boasting a perfect 6–0 record on their home floor. Cal is also fresh off a high win, taking down the University of Utah 79–72 on December 2nd to extend its win streak to four. Dai Dai Ames had dropped 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting on the floor. Head coach Mark Madsen enters this matchup 0–1 against Pacific, with his first-ever loss as Cal’s head coach coming against the Tigers two years ago — a result he and the Golden Bears will look to avenge this afternoon.

These teams last met on November 10th, 2023, when Pacific defeated Cal in Berkeley 87-79. Despite the loss, the Golden Bears have a 27-3 series lead as they prepare to defend their home floor once again. The Bears are on game #2 out of their 8 game homestand that will end on January 2nd, 2026.

The Pacific Tigers’ starting lineup included a good blend of size and guard play. In the frontcourt, Elias Ralph and Isaac Jack provide length, rebounding activity, and interior presence. Justin Rochelin, Kajus Kublickas, and TJ Wainwright make up the Tigers’ backcourt trio, providing the team with ball-handling, perimeter scoring, and defensive versatility to start the afternoon.

The Golden Bears’ starting lineup has a good combination of guard play and frontcourt size. In the backcourt, Dai Dai Ames and Justin Pippen play guard, providing Cal with a dangerous scoring and playmaking pair. Lee Dort, John Camden, and DeJuan Campbell complete the starting lineup, offering rebounding, interior strength, and midrange shooting. Dort is Cal’s leading rebounder, averaging 6.5 rebounds per game, while Pippen leads the team in assists with 4.6. This was also DeJuan Campbell’s first start of the season.

From tip-off to the first five minutes, the Golden Bears struck first. Cal got on the board after Pacific’s Justin Rochelin was called for a personal foul on Dai Dai Ames, who went 1-of-2 from the line for the afternoon’s opening points. The Bears quickly established an aggressive tone by applying high-energy, full-court pressure that caught the Tigers off guard. Pacific’s first offensive possession resulted in a turnover, and with Cal’s defense swarming and controlling the pace early on, the Tigers were forced to call a quick timeout just four minutes into the game.

The Tigers struggled to find their flow after the timeout, going on a four-minute scoring drought and committing numerous turnovers, including shot-clock violations. Pacific’s only source of offence was Isaac Jack, who scored all six of the Tigers’ points in the first eight minutes of the game with quick, decisive finishes in the lane. Aside from Jack’s production, Pacific struggled to find a rhythm, going 4-of-17 from the field in the first 10 minutes (24%).

Meanwhile, the Golden Bears continued to put pressure on both ends. Cal’s offense was on fire, shooting an efficient 9-of-13 (69%) from the field and 4-of-6 from beyond the arc (67%) as they gained early momentum and controlled the game’s pace.

The Tigers slowly settled into an offensive rhythm, thanks to Isaac Jack’s ability to create easy looks in the paint. Pacific began using him as a focal point at the top of the key, allowing the rest of the offence to either cut to the hoop or spread out on the perimeter. The change provided much-needed momentum, as the Tigers connected on three consecutive offensive opportunities, cutting the lead to ten points.

Cal, on the other hand, remained in control for the majority of the half thanks to its strong shooting and efficient passing. John Camden, Justin Pippen, Chris Bell, and Lee Dort all scored more than five points early, providing the Bears a variety of scoring options and stretching Pacific’s defence. Despite their great start, the Golden Bears experienced a three-minute scoring drought late in the half.

At halftime, Cal led 36-27. Despite Pacific’s 14-rebound advantage, which was mostly driven by Jack’s inside presence, the Tigers’ persistent shooting struggles prevented them from narrowing the distance. Pacific entered the half shooting only 33% from the floor, but the Golden Bears maintained their lead by impacting the game defensively and shooting over 45% in all categories.

The Golden Bears scored first again in the second half, this time with Justin Pippen hitting a free throw after drawing a personal foul on Kajus Kublickas, going 1-for-1 from the line. Cal remained true to its defensive identity, sticking with tight man-to-man coverage while adding a 3-2 pressure zone that extended high and interrupted Pacific’s early drives.

Despite their defensive persistence, the Bears struggled offensively, going 0-for-5 within the first five minutes. The Tigers took the opportunity and began playing with significantly more composure than they had in the first half. Pacific moved the ball with patience, attacked from better angles, and discovered cleaner looks.

The momentum changed quickly. The Tigers put together an 8-0 field goal run, cutting Cal’s lead to five points. TJ Wainwright started the charge with back-to-back three-pointers, giving energy and trust in Pacific’s bench. Meanwhile, Isaac Jack continued his strong effort inside, recording a double-double with 10 minutes left in the game.

Pacific refused not give up in the dying minutes, battling till the final whistle. The Tigers put together a late run, scoring six straight points to cut the lead to three, putting the Golden Bears on high alert. But when they needed it the most, Cal’s defence tightened. Pacific went scoreless on its final three offensive opportunities, and Lee Dort delivered the dagger – a game-winning block on Tigers guard Jaden Clayton that ended Pacific’s final effort to win the game.

The Golden Bears hung on for a 67-61 victory.  Justin Pippen led all Cal scorers with 16 points on 4-of-8 shooting, while Dai Dai Ames matched his scoring ability with 15 points on 4-of-8 from the field to anchor the backcourt.

The Tigers were led by Isaac Jack, who had 19 points and 16 rebounds, controlling the post on both ends and keeping Pacific in reach all afternoon. TJ Wainwright also reached double figures, scoring 13 points on 4-of-9 shooting, including a pair of crucial three-pointers that sparked the Tigers’ second-half surge.

The Pacific Tigers are now 7-3 and will return home to Stockton, California, on Thursday, November 13th, to meet the Simpson University Red Hawks. The Tigers will look to build on their competitive performance today and continue their quest for consistency on both sides of the court in front of their home crowd.

The Golden Bears remain undefeated at home, going 7-0 at Haas Pavilion and 8-1 overall this season. Cal will return home to face the Dominican Penguins on Tuesday, December 9th, at 7:00 p.m., hoping to extend their unbeaten record in Berkeley and build on their excellent start to the season.

Sacramento Kings podcast Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings Raynaud and Monk have been doing some of the heavy lifting

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Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) defends against Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Houston, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.Ashley Landis/AP

Sacramento Kings podcast Jeremiah Salmonson Sat Dec 6, 2025

#1 Can the Sacramento Kings (5-17) Russell Westbrook push the tempo against Miami Heat (14-9) half-court defense, or will the Heat’s pressure disrupt the Kings’ transition game Saturday night in Miami?

#2 With Domantas Sabonis has been out with an injury Maxime Raynaud is getting minutes and will be facing Bam Adebayo, which big man will control the interior and dictate the flow of the offense?

#3 Will Keegan Murray’s improved shot creation give Sacramento an edge on the wing against Miami’s physical perimeter defenders?

#4 How will Malik Monk’s scoring bursts match up against the Heat’s bench unit, which often swings momentum at home?

# 5 Can Maxime Raynaud and Monk provide the stability Sacramento needs on the road, especially in late-game situations against a disciplined Miami squad? Raynaud and Monk led Sacramento in scoring last Wednesday against the Houston Rockets with 25 points.

Join Jeremiah Salmonson who does the Sacramento Kings podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

San Jose Sharks podcast Mary Lisa: Sharks face off with hot Hurricanes Sunday in Raleigh

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San Jose Sharks podcast Mary Lisa Sat Dec 6, 2025:

The Dallas Stars Sam Steel (18) takes a shot against the San Jose Sharks goaltender Yaroslav Askarov (30) in the third period at American Airlines Center on Fri Dec 5, 2025 (AP News photo)

#1 Given that Collin Graf scored the lone San Jose Sharks goal in the 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars Friday night, what could he — or the coaching staff — have done differently to generate more momentum or follow-up chances after tying the game 1-1 in the second period?

#2 With Yaroslav Askarov stopping 20 of 23 shots but still giving up three third-period goals, was fatigue or defensive breakdown in front of him more to blame — and what does this say about the Sharks’ defensive effort in that final frame?

#3 Considering veteran forward Jeff Skinner returned from injury for this game, did his presence (or performance) make any noticeable difference — and should the Sharks lean more on him offensively going forward?

#4 The Sharks went 0-for-4 on the power play — what could players like Macklin Celebrini or Graf have done better on the man advantage to avoid giving up control to Dallas in transition?

#5 After conceding three unanswered goals in the third period, what lessons should the Sharks draw for their road game strategy — and which players Askarov, defensemen, forwards need to step up to avoid a repeat collapse?

Mary Lisa does the San Jose Sharks podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Harvey: Kings open road trip with Miami tonight

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Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) shoots against Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Houston, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.Ashley Landis/AP

Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Harvey Sat Dec 6, 2025:

#1 Can the Sacramento Kings (5-17) Russell Westbrook push the tempo against the Miami Heat’s (14-9) half-court defense, or will the Heat’s pressure disrupt the Kings’ transition game?

#2 With Domantas Sabonis out with an injury Maxime Raynaud facing Bam Adebayo, which big man will control the interior and dictate the flow of the offense?

#3 Will Keegan Murray’s improved shot creation give Sacramento an edge on the wing against Miami’s physical perimeter defenders?

#4 How will Malik Monk’s scoring bursts match up against the Heat’s bench unit, which often swings momentum at home?

# 5 Can Raynaud and Monk provide the stability Sacramento needs on the road, especially in late-game situations against a disciplined Miami squad? Raynaud and Monk led Sacramento in scoring last Wednesday against the Houston Rockets with 25 points.

Join Tony Harvey for the Sacramento Kings podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Sharks Fall 4-1 to Stars, Stars Score 3 in third

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Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) celebrates his goal with Vladislav Kolyachonok (44) and Sam Steel (18) as San Jose Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov (30) sits in front of the net in third period at American Airlines Center in Dallas on Fri Dec 5, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks fell 4-1 to the Dallas Stars Friday. Jason Robertson, Sam Steel, Mikko Rantanen and Miro Heiskanen scored for Dallas. Jake Oettinger made 16 saves for the win. Collin Graf scored for San Jose and Yaroslave Askarov made 20 saves in the loss.

The game was tied 1-1 at the half way point of the third, when the Stars jumped ahead and left the Sharks in the metaphorical dust. The Sharks also took a beating in their last game, a 7-1 loss Wednesday to the Washington Capitals. Asked whether Friday’s game was an improvement over that one, Collin Graf said:

“The last game, we just flushed it as a team. We don’t really want to talk about that one. I think today there were some good things. I think I’ve been playing well, I’ve been creating chances. I just got a lucky bounce. Good job from Delly and Ledz and Kursh.”

Asked a similar question, Sharks Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky said: “Anything better than a 7-1 loss is better.”

The first goal of the game came from the Stars’ Jason Robertson on the power play at 14:20. A rebound from Wyatt Johnston’s shot landed in front of Robertson and he used a backhand to put it away. An assist also went to Mikko Rantanen.

The Stars outshot the Sharks 9-3 in the first. The Sharks took two penalties to the Stars’ one.

Collin Graf tied the game at 8:23 of the second period. Philipp Kurashev threw shot the puck into traffic in front of the net. It came back out and Graf tucked it back in. Assists went to Nick Leddy and Kurashev.

The Sharks outshot the Stars 6-4 in the second period. The penalty count was also reversed, with the Sharks taking one and the Stars two. Only one of those created a power play, as Jeff Skinner and Mikko Rantanen had matching slashing minors.

Sam Steel broke the tie at 10:56 of the third. Steel took a shot from in close and the rebound came back to him. Askarov could not find the puck as it slipped by him near the post. Assists went to Alexander Petrovic and Rantanen.

Rantanen added an insurance goal at 16:39. Rantanen gathered the puck beh8nd the net and carried it out, shooting across off the far post. Assists went to Wyatt Johnston and Vladislav Kolyachonok.

At 17:40, Macklin Celebrini put the puck in the net but, as revealed after a coach’s challenge, Kurashev was off side on the play.

Miro Heiskanen made it 4-1 with a shot into an empty net from the Stars zone. An assist went to Roope Hintz.

Dallas outshot San Jose 11-8 in the third. The Stars took two penalties in the third and the Sharks took none.

The Sharks next play in Carolina against the Hurricanes on Sunday at 2:00 PM PT.

Cal Bears podcast Stephen Ruderman: Cal hosts Pacific Saturday; Cal on four game win streak

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Cal Bears forward Lee Dort (34) is excited at the conclusion of the win over the Utah Utes on Tue Dec 2, 2025 at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley (Cal Bears X photo)

Cal Bears podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 With Cal Bears guards like Dai Dai Ames and Justin Pippen in Cal’s backcourt, how might their perimeter defense and shooting had put pressure on the Utah Utes defense?

#2 Can forwards such as Chris Bell or Lee Dort use their size advantage to dominate the paint, to limit Utah’s interior scoring, and control the boards if they face a smaller pilot front line?

#3 Given that Cal’s roster also includes centers like Milos Ilic and Mantas Kocanas, how might their presence affect Utah’s ability to drive to the rim or get second-chance points?

#4 Considering Utah’s fast-paced style, how would Cal — with a mix of experienced players like DeJuan Campbell and newcomers — aim to control tempo and avoid getting caught in a run-and-gun exchange?

#5 If Cal’s rotation extends to freshmen guards such as Luke Butler or Jorell Clark, how much trust should the team put in young players’ composure under pressure when defending a team like the Utes?

Cal Bears podcast with Stephen Ruderman is heard each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast Lincoln Juarez: Sharks open five game road trip Friday at Dallas

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San Jose Sharks goaltender Yaroslav Askarov (30) was pelted with shots on goal by the Washington Capitals at SAP Center in San Jose on Wed Dec 3, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Jose Sharks podcast Lincoln Juarez:

#1 Can William Eklund continue his upward offensive trajectory and help drive the Sharks’ top line against Dallas’ tight defensive structure?

#2 Will John Klingberg’s veteran presence in the middle remain a stabilizing force as San Jose looks to control the pace early in the matchup?

#3 How effectively can Macklin Celebrini create scoring chances off the rush against a Stars team known for quick neutral-zone transitions?

#4 With increasing responsibility on the blue line, can Mario Ferraro help contain Dallas’ heavy forecheck and limit high-danger chances?

#5 After several strong outings, is goalie Yaroslav Askarov poised to give San Jose another solid performance in a tough road environment?

Join Lincoln Juarez for the San Jose Sharks podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Brutal 7-1 Loss Against Capitals on Home Ice Ovechkin gets his sixth win in a row.

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Macklin Celebrini and Dylan Strome battle for the puck during a faceoff at SAP Center on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 (San Jose Sharks photo)

By Fernando Abarca

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The Sharks have undeniably improved this season, but facing the Washington Capitals proved a harsh reminder of the gap that still remains. San Jose suffered one of its toughest defeats of the year, falling 7–1 to Alex Ovechkin and the surging Capitals on Wednesday night.

The Sharks entered the matchup on a positive note after opening December with a 6–3 win over Utah (12-12-3). But Washington presented a far greater challenge. The Capitals arrived sitting second in the Metropolitan Division and riding momentum with five road victories already on the season.

Washington seized control early, scoring four times in the first period. Ryan Leonard delivered a standout performance with two goals and two assists, helping the Capitals extend their winning streak to six games.

Ovechkin added two goals of his own, boosting his career total to 911. Matt Roy recorded three assists, Brandon Duhaime scored and added an assist, Dylan Strome chipped in a goal, and goaltender Charlie Lindgren made 23 saves in a composed effort.

Pavol Regenda scored the lone goal for San Jose late in the third period. The Sharks have alternated wins and losses over their last seven games and struggled to find stability in net throughout the night. Yaroslav Askarov surrendered four goals before being replaced by Alex Nedeljkovic, who provided steadier play but little relief against Washington’s relentless attack.

The Capitals struck first at 8:25 of the opening period when Ovechkin jammed in a rebound at the left post. Sonny Milano doubled the lead less than two minutes later with a one-timer from the left circle.

Leonard opened the scoring in the third period just 1:03 in, bursting down the left wing, slipping past defenseman Timothy Liljegren, and lifting a backhander behind Nedeljkovic to make it 7–0.

San Jose broke through at 12:58 when Dmitry Orlov’s point shot deflected off Regenda’s skate and into the net. Washington challenged for goaltender interference, but the call on the ice stood.

Despite that late blemish, the Capitals left San Jose with one of their most complete wins of the season, powered by Ovechkin’s scoring touch and Leonard’s breakout performance.

The Sharks now embark on a five-game road trip (Dallas, Carolina, Toronto, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia) before returning home to host Calgary on Dec. 16.

Kings Second Half Meltdown Results in 4th Loss In a Row; Losing To Houston 121-95

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Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) takes a shot over the Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud (42) in the second half at the Toyota Center in Houston on Wed Dec 3, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

It was more of the same for the Sacramento Kings (5-17) as they lost to the Houston Rockets (14-5) Wednesday night 121-95. The Kings are able to keep pace with opponents but fall prey to them in the second half. They have led some very good teams deep into the fourth quarter of games but have relinquished those leads losing those matchups.

They have been unable to close out fourth quarters for most of the season and this game was no exception in fact losing this one mid-way through the third quarter. The Rockets really got going in the second half with Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson all scoring in the twenties with Sengun the game high with 28 points.

The high for the Kings were shared by two bench players; Malik Monk and Maxine Ranaud each with 25 points. They were a bright spot in a disappointing loss, their fourth in a row.

Game recap: The Rockets finished the opening quarter on top but only by a couple of points 28-26. The Kings were keeping pace with Houston throughout the first quarter. The quarter got underway with a couple of Russell Westbrook turnovers in the first minute of play, not a great start for the team.

The quarter was littered with some poor play finishing the quarter with three turnovers, fouls, and three steals. Despite the less than stellar play the team was very much in the game going into the second quarter.

It was Maxine Raynaud who helped keep the team within striking distance hitting a couple of three’s along with three additional baskets which included a one-foot layup, and a driving layup.

The Kings took the lead at times throughout the second quarter and went into the locker room at the half with a 52-51 lead. After a bit of a rocky start DeMar DeRozan hit five baskets in the second quarter.

He finished the first half with 12 points and bench player Maxine Raynaud had the team high for the half finishing with 14 points. Keegan Murray and Zach LaVine both had quiet quarters, each of them scoring two points apiece.

The Kings finished the half with nine turnovers, the Rockets with 11. Despite the nine turnovers, the Kings only conceded two points off those turnovers. The largest lead for each team was five points apiece in this hotly contested game. Going into the third quarter it was anyone’s game.

The Rockets had three players in double figures as the third quarter got underway. Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson had a very good first half of basketball. The game see-sawed throughout the first half of the third quarter but then the game took a turn.

The Rockets got their largest lead of the game 71-64 at 4:57 in the quarter. Although quiet offensively, Keegan Murray had contributed grabbing nine rebounds so far in the game. As the third quarter wound down, the Rockets really got going extending their lead and taking a double digit advantage 78-68 with 2:30 left on the clock.

Houston took their double digit lead into the fourth quarter now leading 87-71 and the Kings had a real challenge facing them. Houston had squashed the Kings in the third outscoring them 36-19.

Sacramento had hung with the Rockets through the first half of the third quarter but let it all slip away as this game went into the fourth quarter. They were unable to sustain the effort that they had in the opening minutes of the third quarter and the Rockets were waltzing away with this game. By 7:32 in the fourth quarter Houston had established a 100-77 lead. The final was 121-95 and Sacramento had lost a fourth game in a row.

The first half of this game was very competitive, the second half not so much in fact mid-way through the third quarter the writing was on the wall. The Rockets turned the game into high gear and Sacramento was unable to stop them.

The bright spot for the Kings was a terrific showing on the Sacramento bench. Malik Monk and Maxine Raynaud each shot for 25 points in fact it was Raynaud that kept the Kings in the game in the first half. The high for the Sacramento starters was also shared with Russsell Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan each shooting for 12 points.

Game notes: The Kings extended their losing streak to three games, the Kings took on the Rockets Wednesday evening and beat 121-95. Houston is currently tied for third place in the Western Conference. The game took place at Toyota Center in Houston.

The Kings have of late pulled a couple of upsets back to back against the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Sacramento couldn’t pull out a win against a Western Conference elite team. The Kings have struggled defensively and remain without big man Domantas Sabonis as well as Dennis Schroeder who is dealing with a hip issue. Sabonis will be evaluated in another week or two. The loss was the 12th out of their last 14 games.

Next up for the Kings will be the Miami Heat on Saturday December 6th with tipoff scheduled for 5:00 PM.