Tag: Sports Radio Service

Giants Beat Astros In Series Sweep 6-3 at Daikin Park

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By Barbara Mason

San Francisco Giants Wilmer Flores rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez in the top of the first inning. Flores is greeted by third base coach Matt Williams (9). (AP News photo)

San Francisco’s Wilmer Flores continues to hit those deep balls with teammates Luis Matos and LaMonte Wade Jr. chiming in Wednesday hitting a couple of their own as they beat the Houston Astros in a sweep, 6-3 in the finale at Daikin Park in Houston.

The Giants finished the game with six hits and six runs and it doesn’t get any better than that. It has been a great start for San Francisco who now will head home to Oracle with a 5-1 record.

Game recap: San Francisco could not have asked for a better start in this game. They got started early and kept the pressure on the Astros from the get go. Wilmer Flores continued the great series he has been having hitting a home run in the first inning with Willy Adames on base taking a 2-0 lead.

There was no letdown for the Giants hitting their second home run of the game in the second inning off the bat of Luis Matos, a solo shot giving San Francisco a 3-0 lead. There was more from San Francisco in the same inning when Heliot Ramos doubled base runners Tyler Fitzgerald and Mike Yastrzemski home and the Giants had struck again taking a 5-0 lead.

The Astros got on the board in bottom of the second inning scoring one run. Zach Dezenzo singled Jeremy Pena home for their only run of the game so far still trailing significantly 5-1. Although early in the game the Giants were putting up a great offensive effort against Astro pitcher Framber Valdez which is not an easy task. Valdez did have five strikeouts but he did allow four hits and five earned going five innings.

Houston scored two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning cutting the Giants lead more than in half 5-3 giving the Astros new life. Yordan Alvarez singled base runners Jose Altuve and Chas McCormick home. Houston still had four innings left to do some more damage but needed their defense to keep the Giants off the board in the later innings.

The Giants had five scoreless innings but struck again in the eighth inning with a LaMonte Wade Jr. home run, San Francisco’s third deep ball of the game. Relief pitching kept the Astros off the board for the final four innings and the Giants had their first sweep of the season 6-3.

Even though the Astros had more hits in the game than San Francisco they did not capitalize on those hits and their season record fell to 2-4. San Francisco now has a 5-1 season record as they now head home for their home opener on Friday night. This will be an especially special game for fans as they not only celebrate their first home game of the season but also 25 years at Oracle Park.

San Francisco starting pitcher Landen Roupp had a good game with a lot confidence. He has a great curve ball although as the innings wore on that pitch at times became predictable thus allowing those runs from the Astros. He allowed four hits and three earned runs with eight strikeouts.

Game notes: Wednesday the Giants took on the Astros in game three of their series getting the sweep after winning games one and two. On the mound for the Giants was Landen Roupp who pitched effective baseball against the Astros. The Astros starter Framber Valdez pitched five innings giving up four hits and five runs. The Giants have had a great start on this young season and kept it going in this series.

Going home to Oracle for the home opener on Friday, the Giants will welcome the Seattle Mariners to San Francisco for a three game series. The festivities are slated to start at 1:35 PM in a day-game matchup with 40,000 plus fans on hand.

Seattle will start Bryce Miller 0-1 ERA 4.76. For San Francisco Justin Verlander 0-0 ERA 3.60 looking for a better start than he had against the Reds in the 3-2 loss last Saturday, not the debut he wanted.

Golden State Warriors podcast David Zizmor: Warriors battle Lakers for fourth spot in NBA West Thursday night in LA

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Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) in the first half in Memphis on Tue Apr 1, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 Stephen Curry scored a whopping 52 points, had 12 three pointers, and the Golden State Warriors (44-31) defeated the Memphis Grizzlies (44-32) on Tuesday night.

#2 Curry had 16 of 31 from the floor and made 12 of 30 shots long range and had 12 three pointers tying his season high. Not bad considering he came off that pelvic contusion.

#3 The Warriors travel to Crypto.com Arena to tip off with the Los Angeles Lakers 45-29 at 7:00pm PDT. The Lakers are fourth in the NBA Western Conference.

Join David Zizmor for the Warrior podcasts Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks lose third straight game bow to Ducks in shootout 4-3

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Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal center, San Jose Sharks center Tyler Toffoli (73) and defenseman Radko Gudas (7) defending in the first period at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Tue Apr 1, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

Anaheim Ducks Mason McTavish scored what would be the game winner and the only shootout goal scored in the stanza that stood up to defeat the visiting San Jose Sharks 4-3 at the Honda Center in Anaheim.

The Ducks Trevor Zegras and Sam Colangelo helped out scoring a goal a piece and delivering with an assist each. Jackson LaCombe scored a goal and McTavish had himself a game adding three assists. The Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal saved 28 shots and the effort helped Anaheim win their fourth out of their last six games.

The Sharks got goals out of Alexander Wennberg, Shakir Mukhamadullin and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Sharks goaltender Alexandar Georgiev stopped 34 shots but the Sharks fell short and picked up their third loss in a row.

In the shootout stanza McTavish scored during the third round which stood up to be the game winner. Tyler Toffoli in the shootout shot wide right in San Jose’s last attempt at trying to score falling short.

The Sharks had a valiant effort as they were down by two goals after 20 minutes into the third period. Vlasic got the Sharks within a goal at 4:08 remaining in the game. For Vlasic it was his 1315th career game and 19th goal of the season.

Thursday night the Edmonton Oilers come to SAP Center. The Oilers are third in the Pacific Division at 43-26-5. The Oilers have won six of their last ten games and have won their last two games. This is a gritty club. The Sharks who are struggling have now lost eight of their last 11 games and are last in the Pacific Division. Faceoff between the Oilers and Sharks is at 7:30pm PDT.

Utah HC Ices Flames 3-1 Kicking Off Final Regular Season Homestand Of Inaugural Season

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Utah Hockey Club center Kevin Stenlund (82) shoots and scores past Calgary Flames goalie Dustin Wolf (32) in the first period at the Delta Center on Tue Apr 1, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Tom Walker

SALT LAKE CITY–Goaltender Karel Vejmelka limited Calgary to one goal in his 18th consecutive start as Utah Hockey Club begins final regular season homestand with a win.

Nearly six months after kicking off their first season in Salt Lake City, the Utah Hockey Club hosted the Calgary Flames on Tuesday for the first of five games in the final regular season homestand of the year. Fans arrived to a Delta Center surrounded by trees popping with white blossoms heralding the arrival of Spring, even as the local mountains received a fresh blanket of April snow earlier in the day. Mathematically still engaged in the Wild Card hunt, Utah continues to treat every game as a playoff game. Tuesday night was no different as the Utah battled and defeated the visiting Flames 3-1.

Late in the first period, Utah forward Kevin Stenlund broke the scoreless tie with a snap shot past Calgary netminder Dustin Wolf, his 12th goal of the season, assisted by Alexander Kerfoot and Ian Cole. Karel Vejmelka, starting his 18th consecutive game in goal, turned away all 12 Flames shots in the frame.

At 2:25 of the second period, Barrett Hayton put Utah up 2-0 with a backhand shot, his 18th of the season, assisted by Sean Durzi and Nick Schmaltz. Later in the period, Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson cut the lead in half with an unassisted goal, his 11th of the season.

Karel Vejmelka stood tall in net, stopping 32 of 33 shots, and his teammates sacrificed their bodies to hold off Calgary’s attempt to send the game into overtime late in the third. With 18 seconds remaining, Utah captain Clayton Keller sealed the victory scoring into an empty net for his 25th of the season, assisted by Logal Cooley and Dylan Guenther who returned to the ice after receiving stitches for a puck to the face.

In the locker room, Forward Barrett Hayton was asked about the most important component of tonight’s game. “I think sticking with it. Obviously this is a playoff game for both teams.. you knew it was gonna be a war till the end. Their last seven games have been unreal… a lot of comeback wins in that so we knew we had to have that urgency the whole time and stick with it.” Talking about Vejmelka, Hayton remarked, “It’s just a lot of fun to play in front of him. He’s a competitor, he loves doing it. It’s a lot of confidence in a guy like that, and you see it every day. We know he kicks, but still, he makes some saves out there that are just crazy.”

Vejmelka also addressed the media. “It’s fun to play every night in front of our home crowd. They give us some special energy and it’s kind of cool to play, especially in those kinds of games where we are still in the hunt, so we need every point. It was fun.” How does he feel physically after starting 18 consecutive games? “Actually, pretty normal. I don’t really feel like I played that long. It’s fun to play and I’m playing better and better, which is great. It’s fun to play those kinds of games. I like to play under pressure, so it’s part of it, and I really enjoyed it.” When asked what he has learned about himself during that stretch, Veggie responded, “I don’t really think about it. I don’t really overthink because it doesn’t help you. I just try to focus on another game, another shift, and another shot. That’s kind of the mindset that I’ve had and we just need to keep going and keep rolling and play a style of hockey where we block shots. Being resilient is huge for us.”

Head coach André Tourigny began his post-game briefing by saying, “First, great game by Vej. I think he was elite with that key moment. I think the first two periods we were really stingy defensively, we had a lot of chances as well offensively. We could have closed the game, separated ourselves. We didn’t, but we stayed with it. In the third, I liked our mindset in terms of urgency defensively… I think we backed up a little bit too much, but other than that, I think we found a way, we had big kills as well, so that’s what I think.” Tourigny elaborated on the play of Vejmelka. “Vej in the past has been known for.. when he gets tired… he had kind of a difficult time, and that was important for us to go through them and learn to battle through. Like I said this morning, at some point, if we’re in a 15, 16, 20, 24 game run in the playoffs, he needs to be able to sustain, and it’s not easy, it’s tough. It’s tough mentally and physically, and what he’s going through now will help when that will happen because he will have been through it. He will have a situation and will say, okay, I’ve been through that and I learned from it, so I think it’s good for him to go through that. As a goalie, there’s a different vibe when, okay, I had a bad game, that’s over, now I need to be good tonight. And that’s exactly what happens when you’re in the playoffs.. you can lose eight nothing yesterday.. doesn’t matter next game. You need to be ready and move on, and so I think that stretch will make him go through it and learn from it, so I think it’s good for him.

With regard to the Wild Card race, Tourigny continued, “The point is, we’ll never quit. That’s what you want to raise, that’s what you want to be as a team… a team who will never quit. There’s no quitting in that room. There’s no quitting in those players. There’s only one thing we want to do, and we want to pursue our objective. We won’t quit until they pull the plug, and if they do, it is what it is… but we won’t give them any reason to do it. We have a bunch of players who are so competitive and they’re so proud to play in that season, the way we’ve been supported by the fans and we’re so fortunate, so I think we want to give it back.”

Utah remains 8 points back of the final Wild Card slot with 7 games to go. The Los Angeles Kings arrive on Thursday night for the second game of the homestand.

Giants Take Series Lead Beating Astros 3-1

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By Barbara Mason

San Francisco Giants starter Logan Webb delivers against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park in Houston on Tue Apr 1, 2025 (AP News photo)

The San Francisco Giants (4-1) won their third straight game in a row beating the Houston Astros (2-3) 3-1. The Giants only had four hits cashing in for three runs and Houston had seven hits in the game but only the one run. Heliot Ramos had the only home run of the game as San Francisco now has a 4-1 season record.

Game recap: Both pitchers breezed through the first and second innings. Logan Webb allowed one hit in the two innings and Hayden Wesneski had not allowed a single hit.

The Giants got something going in the third inning when Astro pitcher Wesneski walked two runners, Patrick Bailey and Christian Koss, in a row with no outs and the top of the lineup coming to bat. San Francisco was looking at a golden opportunity.

The top of the batting order LaMonte Wade Jr. struck out for the first out in the inning but Willy Adames hit a line drive to left field driving Bailey and Koss home and the Giants had a 2-0 lead. Jung Hoo Lee lined out and Matt Chapman struck out for the third out. The Astros had one hit in the third inning but a strikeout and a double play sent the game into the fourth inning.

The Giants extended their lead in the fourth inning when Heliot Ramos homered to left and San Francisco had a 3-0 advantage. The Astros got out of the inning but there was some action in the Houston bullpen as Taylor Scott warmed up indicating possible changes in the fifth inning. In the bottom of the fourth inning the Astros got on the board off the bat of the veteran Jose Altuve who homered to left and it was a 3-1 ball game.

The game headed into the fifth inning and Wesneski remained on the mound for Houston. Neither team scored and it was on to the sixth inning, in fact the fifth, sixth and seventh innings were quiet for both teams. Through seven innings the Giants had three hits cashing in on all of them and Houston had seven.

The Giants pitcher Tyler Rogers took over on the mound in the eighth inning giving up two hits but got out of the inning. The Giants continued to lead 3-1 going into the ninth inning. Other than a Houston pitcher error, Astro pitcher Bryan King struck out Wilmer Flores, Patrick Bailey and Casey Schmitt and Houston had one last chance in the bottom of the ninth inning. It was a three and out for Houston and that was the ball game with San Francisco winning their third game in a row 3-1.

Game notes: Tuesday evening the Giants faced the Astros in game two of their series. While it is early in the season, the Giants have already shown some encouraging improvement over last season. Since their season opener they have scored 21 runs some of which came on a two out count. They have been bringing base runners home and not leaving them stranded.

Saturday the Giants starter Logan Webb went to the mound and pitched five innings giving up seven hits and a run. The Astros righty Hayden Wesneski pitched five innings, giving up two hits and three runs.

Game three of this series is slated for a 1:10 PM PDT first pitch. Landen Roupp will take the mound for the Giants with a 3.58 ERA. The Astros will be looking to pitcher Framber Valdez to salvage at least one game in this series.

Sportstalk remote podcast: UNI Pizzeria and Grill 1234 Polk Street San Francisco/Mon Mar 31, 2025

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UNI Pizzeria 1234 Polk Street San Francisco podcast (left going up) Daisy Amaya (advertising), David Zizmor (Golden State Warriors analyst), Michael Duca (ESPN), Lee Leonard (producer), (right side back going down) Amaury Pi Gonzalez (That’s Amaury News and Commentary), Daniel Gonzalez (owner UNI Pizzeria), and Maureen Guevearra (owner UNI Pizzeria). (photo by Daisy Amaya)

Welcome to another podcast remote of Sportstalk with your host Michael Duca (ESPN the Worldwide Leader in Sports), Morris Phillips (San Francisco Giants analyst), and David Zizmor (Golden State Warriors analyst) and Amaury Pi Gonzalez (That’s Amaury News and Commentary).

Were podcasting from UNI Pizzeria at 1234 Polk Street in San Francisco’s Polk Gulch neighborhood. UNI Pizzeria and Grill serves up some of the most fantastic pizzas and pastas made to order. Other favorites on UNI’s menu nachos, guacamole bites, curly fries, chicken pot stickers, mozzarella sticks, bacon flavored mac and cheese bits plus many more favorites.

So if your in a hurry pick up to go, order by phone, or by Uber Eats, Post Mates or Amazon for delivery, or dine in at UNI Pizzeria 1234 Polk Street in San Francisco’s Polk Gulch neighborhood. Our thanks to owners Maureen Guevearra and Daniel Gonzalez.

Listen to the audio on Spotify SRS Sports Radio Service

Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Renteria: Kings best chance to get back in win column against Wizards

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Indiana Pacers TJ McConnell (9) gets airborne to make a pass against the Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) and guard Zach LaVine (8) in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Mon Mar 31, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Renteria:

#1 The Sacramento Kings (36-39) had every opportunity to beat the Indiana Pacers (44-31) Monday night but when push came to shove they collapsed in the final minutes of the game losing 111-109.

#2 The Kings made some critical mistakes in the fourth quarter but did lead going into the final two minutes.

#3 The Pacers had not led the entire second half until Tyrese Haliburton hit a three to take a one-point lead 100-98 with 1:17 left in the game.

#4 With the Kings fighting for a playoff spot this loss is a killer for Sacramento. DeMar DeRozan had the game high with 31 points and Domantas Sabonis had another double double with 16 rebounds and 25 points.

#5 The Kings are coming off this loss to the Pacers and head to DC to tip off with the Washington Wizards for a 4:00pm PDT start. The Wizards have lost three in a row are last in the Eastern Conference and might be the Kings best chance to get back in the win column again.

Join Tony Renteria for the Sacramento Kings podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Sacramento A’s media room make shift shed; Cards veteran Lynn retires at 37; plus more MLB news

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The media facility at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento is a shed like looking building. This photo was the talk of baseball circles that a shed would be used for Major League Baseball media. (photo by Ben Ross KRON 4 TV San Francisco)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Reporters on Monday night covering the Sacramento A’s first home game at Sutter Health Field the minor league park for the triple A team Sacramento River Cats got the full treatment of what going back to covering minor league baseball is like. The park was cramped it was sold out, the reporters said their work space was reduced to a makeshift shed for a media room and it was cramped. This is going to be a complicated working environment for those covering A’s home games.

#2 St Louis Cardinal veteran right hand pitcher Lance Lynn 37 is hanging up the cleats for the last time. He has announced his retirement from baseball after 13 big league seasons. Upon retiring Lynn said, “Baseball season is upon us and I’m right here on the couch and that is where I’m gonna stay,” Lynn also said “Dymin in the Rough.” and “I am officially retiring from baseball right here, right now.”

#3 Right hand pitcher for the New York Yankees Adam Ottavino will be returning to the mound as he agreed to a one year contract. Ottavino 39 signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox on Feb 18 but wound up exercising his right to be released on March 23. Ottavina had a 10.80 ERA during spring training. Ottavino pitched for the New York Mets last season.

#3 Who needs steroids when you have the torpedo bat say some who observed the astronomical rise in hitting stats for players who use the hitting weapon. The Yankees the other day hit four home runs in the first inning and for the game nine home runs. Now Cincinnati Reds slugger Elly De La Cruz has got into the act hitting a single, double and two home runs on Monday night and has accumulated seven RBIs so far.

#4 A’s owner John Fisher was at Sutter Health ball park in Sacramento on Monday night and heard a smattering of “Let’s go Oakland”, “Sell the Team.” Some fans wore t shirts saying “I’d rather be at the Oakland Coliseum.” Despite the protests that was blended over with fans who were excited to see big league baseball being played in Sacramento.

#5 Carson Kelly became the first Chicago Cub in 32 years to hit for the cycle which he achieved on Monday night against the A’s in Sacramento. Kelly needed a triple to complete the cycle in his last at bat in the eighth inning as the Cubs stormed the A’s 18-3 in the Cubs first road game stateside of the season.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame

San Francisco Wins Series Opener Against Houston 7-2

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San Francisco Giants Wilmer Flores right celebrates his three home run with Patrick Bailey (14) at Daikin Park in Houston on Mon Mar 31, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (3-1) had a great start to their three game series with the Houston Astros (2-2) winning the opener 7-2. They outhit the Astros 9-3 scoring in four innings. Unlike last season they are not leaving runners stranded when in scoring position.

They are getting on base via hits, steals and walks so they are getting the job done. Wilmer Flores had his second home run of the season with four RBI’s and Jung Hoo Lee continues to impress with two more runs scored.

Game recap: San Francisco was first up on the scoreboard in the second inning taking a 1-0 lead. Wilmer Flores singled Heliot Ramos home and the Giants were off and running. They would strike again in the fifth inning scoring a single run extending their lead to 2-0. LaMonte Wade Jr. hit a sacrifice fly sending Mike Yastrzemski home for their second run of the game.

After Astros starting pitcher Ronel Blanco allowed the two runs in the second and fifth innings he was relieved by Luis Contreras on the mound. He went five innings allowing three hits, two runs with six strikeouts.

The Giants really piled it on in the sixth inning scoring three runs. Wilmer Flores hit a three-run home run with Jung Hoo Lee and Patrick Bailey on base and San Francisco took a 5-0 lead going into the seventh inning.

The Giants had seven hits in the game while the Astros had only one hit. After the sixth inning Astros relief pitcher Luis Contreras was finished allowing three hits and three runs. Ryan Gusto would take over on the mound.

The Astros stepped it up in the eighth inning scoring two runs trailing 2-5. Isaac Paredes doubled driving both Jose Altuve and Cam Smith home. The Giants lead prevailed going into the ninth inning.

The Giants threatened in the ninth with runners on second and third, two outs and Matt Chapman at the plate. Chapman singled and two more San Francisco runners crossed home plate for a 7-2 lead.

Willy Adames and Jung Hoo Lee both scored on the Chapman single. San Francisco had nine hits in this game. The Astros had one last chance in the bottom of the ninth inning. Ryan Walker took the mound to try and close this game out for the Giants.

Ryan was perfect closing out the game for the win. He did have one walk in the inning. San Francisco had won the first game of this three game series 7-2.

Jordan Hicks set the stage for this win. He went six innings, allowing one hit with six strikeouts in a great showing tonight. San Francisco has had more success scoring with runners in scoring position which so far this season has been a nice improvement.

Matt Chapman has been a huge offensive and defensive weapon with stellar play at third base. Wilmer Flores hit his second home run of the season and the team came away with nine hits in the game. The Giants stole three bases in this game, two of which resulted in runs so this team is getting on base whether it be through hits, walks or steals. They are getting the job done.

Game notes: After winning their series with the Cincinnati Reds this past weekend, the Giants took on the Astros in Houston to open a three game series on Monday night. Jordan Hicks took the mound for the Giants Monday night and pitched one hit ball for six innings before being lifted. Starter for Houston was Ronel Blanco went three innings and gave up of three hits and three runs.

Tuesday night the Giants and Astros will clash in game two of this series. First pitch is scheduled for 5:10 PM. Probable pitchers for Tuesday’s game are slated to be Logan Webb for the Giants with a 5.40 ERA and for Houston Hayden Wesneski will take the mound.

Kings Drop a Heartbreaker to Pacers 111-109

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Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) takes a foul as he take a shot in between the Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine (8) and forward Keegan Murray (13) in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Mon Mar 31, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (36-39) had every opportunity to beat the Indiana Pacers (44-31) Monday night but when push came to shove they collapsed in the final minutes of the game losing 111-109.

They made some critical mistakes in the fourth quarter but did lead going into the final two minutes. The Pacers had not led the entire second half until Tyrese Haliburton hit a three to take a one-point lead 100-98 with 1:17 left in the game.

With the Kings fighting for a playoff spot this loss is a killer for Sacramento. DeMar DeRozan had the game high with 31 points and Domantas Sabonis had another double double with 16 rebounds and 25 points. Malik Monk missed numerous shots finishing with only five points in 29 minutes of play.

Game recap: The Kings led Indiana after the first 12 minutes of play in a tight match-up 28-27 and at the half had a 60-54 lead. Sacramento outscored the Pacers in the second quarter 32-27. This had been a hotly contested game and going into the second half it was up for grabs.

The Pacers won the third quarter 27-26 but continued to trail in the game 86-81. They had not led since late in the second quarter as the Kings continued to fight to keep the lead. Going into the fourth quarter, the Kings had a fight on their hands.

Throughout the final quarter neither team was able to hit very many shots. It was a very sloppy fourth quarter for both teams. The Kings had the lead in this game with 1:27 left in the game. The Pacers had missed a slew of three’s in the final minutes of the quarter but at 1:17 Tyrese Haliburton hit the three that got Indiana their first lead of the second half 100-98.

The Kings lost this game with some very ineffective offense. They missed five shots in the final two minutes of play and committed five fouls. What is so disappointing is that the Kings had a 16 point lead at one time in the second half.

They were not at all good at the line shooting 64% while the Pacers were perfect at the free throw line. This game was a nail-biter from start to finish but the Kings could not hit the shots that would have made the difference in this game losing it to the Pacers 111-109.

DeMar DeRozan had the game high scoring 31 points and Domantas Sabonis had a double double with 16 rebounds and 25 points. Zach LaVine also had a good game with 20 points. Malik Monk had a sub-par game only scoring five points in 29 minutes of play but he was very good defensively with seven rebounds along with starter Keegan Murray who also had seven rebounds. In this final countdown none of these players can letdown and there was a real letdown Monday night for Sacramento. The fourth quarter was especially sloppy at times.

Game notes: With seven games left on the season, the Sacramento Kings (36-39) took a tough loss the Indiana Pacers (44-31) in a crunch situation. The Pacers are sitting in fourth place in the Eastern Conference while the Kings are hanging on for dear life in tenth place in the Western Conference.

The Kings have to win most of these upcoming seven games. They were blindsided by the Orlando Magic Saturday night to the tune of 121-91. They were due for a productive game and couldn’t get the win over Indiana to start this seven game stretch. It is crunch-time for the Sacramento Kings if they want to get back in this.

Wednesday night the Kings will take on the 16-59 Washington Wizards. This is a must-win for Sacramento despite being on the road. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 4:00 PMPDT at he Capital One Center in DC as Sacramento will be looking to put on end to this horrible nine game losing streak on the road.