San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes: Battle of first place teams Raven and 49ers on Christmas night

The Baltimore Ravens quarterback LaMar Jackson (8) tries to throw a pass under pressure against the Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day (51) at So Fi Stadium in Inglewood on Sun Nov 26, 2023 (AP file photo)

On the 49ers podcast with J Hawkes:

#1 Joe, the game between the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens is a late season late game on Christmas night. It’s the first time since the 1993 season that two first place teams will face off against each other in 16 weeks or later. The Cowboys and Giants met that year and were 11-4.

#2 What are some of the few things your looking forward to in this match up on Christmas night and at Levi Stadium the excitement has to be building up for this thriller.

#3 Talk about the Ravens quarterback LaMar Jackson he has 3,105 yards, 17 touchdowns, and seven interceptions how important how key has he been for the Ravens?

#4 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has led the 49ers to six consecutive wins, would you say of those six wins his most impressive win came against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial on Dec 3rd.

#5 Joe, it’s time to get your prediction for this Monday’s game at Levi Stadium between the Ravens and 49ers in what could be a preview of the Super Bowl.

Joe Hawkes does the San Francisco 49ers podcasts weekly at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal basketball podcast with Michael Roberson: Stanford battles San Diego State Tonight ; Cardinal set sights for third win in a row

Stanford Cardinal guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) won the Freshman of the week Award. Stojakovic led the Cardinal in scoring with 17 points against the Idaho Vandals Sun Dec 17, 2023 at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto (Stanford Cardinal photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael R:

#1 Stanford Cardinal guard Andrej Stojakovic led the Cardinal with 17 points Sunday at Stanford and won the Freshman of the week Award quite an achievement for Stojakovic.

#2 Four other Cardinal ended up in double figures. Michael Jones had 14 points with seven rebounds and Maxime Raynaud got his second double double of the season with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

#3 Kanaan Carlyle had 11 points in his first game with the Cardinal and off the bench.

#4 The Cardinal shot 56.4 their highest percentage of the season and 43.5 for three pointers. It was the third time the Cardinal past the 40 percent mark this season.

#5 It’s off to San Diego State and the Aztecs Thu Dec 21st. The Aztecs won their last game edging UC Irvine 63-62 at San Diego State. Aztecs are good and ready with a 9-2 record. Stanford is 6-4 and are looking for a road win.

Michael Roberson is a Stanford Cardinal beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors Defeat Celtics In Overtime Shoot-Out 132-126

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) lets the Boston Celtics know it’s bedtime as Curry led Golden State with 33 points at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Dec 19, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

This game was a good old-fashion shoot-out with the Golden State Warriors (13-14) prevailing in overtime. Warriors guard Stephen Curry hit a clutch three with 11.1 seconds left on the clock giving the Warriors a 130-126 lead. Curry closed out this game with a couple of shots from the line giving Golden State a 132-126 win over Boston Celtics (20-6). Curry led in scoring with 33 points.

Game recap: The Celtics jumped out to the lead in the first quarter winning the first 12 minutes of play 40-30 in a high-scoring quarter. Boston cooled off in the second quarter and Golden State really got going. With 4:14 left in the first half, the Warriors had tied up this game at 54.

 Klay Thompson was 3 of 5 from beyond the arc and bench player Dario Saric was 3 of 3 from downtown. At 3:36 the Warriors had taken the lead 56-54. Curry wanted in on the action and he finally hit a three. 

There was a real ebb and flow in this game with the two teams trading shots, trading the lead and both teams fighting to take control of the game. At the half this game could not have been closer with Boston leading 65-62.

With the absence of Draymond Green and his energy, the team needed someone to step onto that role. They are getting a lot of help from Jonathan Kuminga and Dario Saric. Kuminga finished the half with 13 points and five rebounds and Saric had 11 points.

Thompson continued to hit critical shots and also had 13 points at halftime. Golden State had some turnover problems with eight committed in the opening half but they were shooting their three’s at 43% to the Celtic’s 30%. 

These two teams were almost dead-even shooting from the field. This had been a most entertaining first half with both teams playing very well. The Warriors had been down by as much as 12 points in the first half but they came roaring back cutting the Boston lead to three.

The first two minutes of the third quarter consisted of missed shots by both teams. Jaylen Brown finally broke through as the Celtics began to build on their halftime lead. Curry got hot but he also already had four personal fouls. 

The Celtics Jrue Holiday also had four personal fouls. At 5:31 in the quarter the Celtics took their largest lead of the game 85-70. As the clock began to wind down on the third quarter, the Warriors were matching the Celtics shot for shot. Boston continued to lead 97-86 going into the fourth quarter. 

The final three minutes of the game was off the charts as the Warriors had fought back from a 15 point deficit to within one point 116-115. Both Thompson and Curry hit three’s to forget the comeback. At 2:14 it was a tie game at 118. Curry hits a three and the games continues tied at 121 with 29 ticks left on the clock and the Celtics with possession. Boston was unable to score and this game went into overtime.

It was a dry minute and a half of play until Kuminga stole the ball on a bad pass from Al Horford taking it to the basket. Golden State took a 125-121 lead. It was crunch time and with 52 seconds left in overtime it was Curry time driving for a layup giving the Warriors a 127-126 lead. 

He followed that shot up with a 26-foot jumper and a 130-126 Warrior lead and it was good night for the Celtics. Curry added a couple of free throws for good measure and that was the ball game 132-126. Golden State had beaten one of the best teams in the NBA .

Curry had the high in this game with 33 points and Thompson continued the great play he has been having with 24 points. Kuminga had 17 points and seven rebounds and off the bench Trayce Jackson-Davis had yet another impressive game with ten points and 13 rebounds. 

The Warriors held onto the ball tonight with only ten turnovers really improving on ball protection. This was a most dramatic game with the Warriors prevailing.  

Post game notes: Tuesday evening the Warriors took on the Celtics at Chase Center. The Celtics are sitting in first place in the Eastern Conference. This was a huge challenge but the Warriors prevailed. Golden State had been playing well with their new starting lineup and were definitely up for the challenge. 

The Celtics have one of the best offenses in the NBA and will no doubt gave the Warrior’s defense a real run for their money. The Warriors were able to contend with and contained Brown, Jayson Tatum, Horford, Holiday and Derrick White. 

Thompson has been playing very well as has Kuminga giving Curry a lot of help. The entire starting lineup for the Warriors has been playing well as has their bench. This game was a real shoot-out.

The Warriors will be off until Friday night when they take on the Washington Wizards at Chase Center in another home game. The Wizards right now have a 4-22 record having struggled all season. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

  

Sharks Lose To Their Rivals From So-Cal Kings 4-1; LA goalie Rittich holds SJ to just one goal

The Los Angeles Kings defenseman Andreas Englund (5) congratulates goaltender David Rittich (31) after defeating the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center in San Jose on Tue Dec 19, 2023 (AP News photo)

Tuesday, December 19th, 2023

By Troy Ewers 

San Jose, CA – The San Jose Sharks have played in six consecutive one-goal games over the club’s last seven contests, earning points in four of the last five (3-1-1) as part of the team’s hot December run. Following San Jose’s 1-0 loss Friday at Arizona (Dec. 15), the Sharks got trounced by the Avalanche 6-2 and hope to turn it around before the holidays as they face the Los Angeles Kings in the SAP Center. 

The Sharks and Kings went almost the whole period scoreless, but even in almost every category. That stalemate between these two rivals finally came to an end when the Kings were able to generate a smooth line of offense that resulted in Arthur Kaliyev getting the puck behind the net and he found Anza Kopitar in the slot area with a wide open wrist shot past Kaapo Kahkonen. 1-0 Kings.

The period was majority even until the goal 18 minutes in, but after that it the Kings held the lead on the scoreboard and in the shots on goal stat line with 12 compared to the Sharks’ five. 

Sharks couldn’t generate anyhing going in the second period, especially compared to the Kings. Four minutes into the period, Trevor Moore assisted by Kevin Fiala, who now has 23 assists and Phillip Danault who now has 12. 2-0 Kings.

A minute later the Kings continued their assault as a shot from Kopitar was deflected by Alex Laferriere in the net and it was 3-0. The Sharks looked out of it in the second period, but the crowd was still in it and rooting for their boys in teal no matter how ugly it looked. 

The air was sucked out of the room during the period. The only time the crowd came alive was when the puck looked like it was going in the net, but Kings goalie David Rittich gloved it right before it crossed the line. Another time the crowd came alive was when Fabian Zetterlund looked like he was about to get the Sharks first goal of the night, but the puck hit the post and it went right back to a silent night ironically.

The time kept ticking, but the score stayed the same for the majority of the period. An empty net goal from Trevor Lewis made it 4-0 and immediately after that the Sharks finally got one on the board with a slap shot by Jacob MacDonald, his fifth of the season. 4-1 and that was the final score as the final buzzer sounded.

The Sharks take another crushing loss this season and their next game will be on December 21st, back in the SAP Center and the Sharks have a lot to evaluate before they go into the holiday break.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers: Sharks host Kings tonight; San Jose looking to rebound from loss in Colorado

The Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (right) battles for the hockey puck as the San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl (left) tries to get a stick on the puck on defense at Ball Arena in Denver on Sun Dec 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers:

#1 Regardless of winning or losing the San Jose Sharks played six straight one goal games they did win three of six on their last east coast six game road swing. They lost a close one to the Arizona Coyotes on Friday night in Tempe. Then the Sharks were crushed by the Colorado Avalanche on 6-2 on Sunday.

#2 In the loss to the Avalanche Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals and had two assists which help lead the Avalanche to their out scoring bid on the Sharks.

#3 The Avalanche had plenty of help with Mikko Rantanen, Ryan Johansen, Valeri Nichushkin and Miles Wood each with a goal. It gives you an idea how potent the Avalanche offense is.

#4 The Sharks goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood was blitzed by the Avalanche facing 33 shots and allowing five. For Blackwood was this a matter of not getting the protection up front or was this an off game for Blackwood.

#5 Sharks host the Los Angeles Kings (17-6-4). The Kings have won six of their last ten games although they’ve lost three of their last four games. The did win their last game against a very sound Seattle Kraken team with a one goal win 3-2 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. Troy, how do you see this contest between the Kings and Sharks tonight.

Troy Ewers is a San Jose Sharks beat writer at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Gurriel Jr signs 3 yr $42 million deal with Diamondbacks; Ohtani and Acuna win the Hank Aaron Award; plus more news

Arizona Diamondbacks Lourdes Gurriel Jr joins the Arizona Diamondbacks agreeing to a three year $42 million deal on Sun Dec 17, 2023 (USA Today photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

#1 Lourdes Gurriel Jr will be returning to the Arizona Diamondbacks on a $42 million three year deal. Gurriel gets a fourth year option on his three contract. The deal also includes an opt out on the second year of the contract. Gurriel hit .261, with 144 hits and 24 home runs. How much of a good deal is this for Gurriel and the Diamondbacks.

#2 Shohei Ohtani and Ronald Acuna are both racking up trophies. This time they both win the Hank Aaron Award for most offensive performer. Ohtani hit .304, 151 hits, and 44 home runs. Ohtani will not pitch but be the Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter for the 2024 season. Acuna hit .337, 217 hits and had 106 RBIs.

#3 Texas Rangers pitcher Max Scherzer who had off season back surgery will not be expected to be back until June or July. Scherzer was suffering back pain and was removed from last season’s World Series. His pain didn’t stop when he got home to Florida and was later diagnosed with a herniated disc.

#4 Over the weekend Amaury, the San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox threw their ball caps into the Yoshinobu Yamamoto sweepstakes joining the Mets, Yankees, Dodgers. Yamamoto has met with the Mets twice. These clubs have each put in a starting bid of $300 million for Yamamoto. The pressure is mounting Amaury which team will it be?

#5 It didn’t take long after being acquired by the Atlanta Braves from the San Diego Padres Matt Carpenter was released after one week. The Braves will lose around $4 million on the deal in 2022 Carpenter hit .305, with 15 home runs and 37 RBIs. Carpenter played for the Yankees from May 26 to Aug 8th. Carpenter he broke his foot on a foul ball and got back into post season on going 1 for 12 with nine strikeouts.

Join Amaury for News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Kalia Davis out with ankle injury; Defense missing a number of tackles

San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Kalia Davis (93) is out of the line up with an ankle injury he sustained while playing against the Arizona Cardinals on Sun Dec 17, 2023 (Eric Shaw Getty images)

On the 49ers podcast with David:

#1 San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan says that has been the main issue. Shanahan said fatigue was the main issue but said it’s hurting the team. It was pointed out in last Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals the 49ers missed 16 tackles, nine players missed a tackle, and the defense missed 14 tackles previous to the Cardinals game and 12 in the Cardinals game.

# 2 Shanahan said losing defensive tackle Kalia Davis for several weeks due to a high ankle sprain put pressure at defensive tackle on the depth chart. David, do you feel that led to a number of missed tackles in the game and why Shanahan is so concerned about this area of the 49ers defense?

#3 The 49ers host the Baltimore Ravens (11-3) on Christmas for Monday Night Football at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara. The 49ers (11-3) are coming in on a six game win streak. The Ravens are also on a roll they’ve won four straight coming into this game. Do you see both of these teams evenly matched coming into this one?

David Zizmor does the 49ers podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings Continue To Roll Beating Washington Wizards 143-131; Sabonis gets another triple double for Sac

The Washington Wizards center Mike Muscala (35) guards the Sacramento Kings forward Sasha Vezenkov (7) in the first quarter at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Mon Dec 18, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Monday night the Sacramento Kings (16-9) continued to rock and roll beating the Washington Wizards (4-22) at Golden 1 Center 143-131. De’Aaron Fox was back on the court and finished with 30 points. Domantas Sabonis had his 35th triple double with 28 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists. Keegan Murray had another great game with 25 points. Sacramento came away with seven turnovers and this game could not have gone better for Sacramento.

Game recap: The Wizards took the lead after one quarter of basketball 31-27 but the Kings were just getting warmed up. Sacramento powered through the second quarter winning it 39-25. The Kings led at the half 66-56.

Sacramento continued to push in the third quarter extending their lead to 112-91. They won the quarter 46-35. The Kings cooled off in the fourth quarter missing a lot of shots and ended up losing the quarter. The Wizards won the fourth quarter 40-31. Sacramento had a 21 point lead at the end of the third giving up nine points in the fourth quarter but winning the game 143-131.

The Kings now sit in fourth place in the Western Conference. They have won four of their last five games. Fox finished with 30 points and Murray had another terrific game scoring 25 points. Six Kings had scored in double digits in this game. Sabonis had his 35th triple-double with 28 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists. 

The triple-double was his 17th in a King uniform, the most in the franchise’s Sacramento era. The Kings protected the ball well throughout the entire game with only seven turnovers. It was an outstanding evening for the Sacramento Kings.

The Wizard’s Jordan Poole matched his career high with eight 3 pointers scoring 28 points in total. Kyle Kuzma added 27 points. Washington is really struggling right now having lost 17 of their last 19 games. They did tie up this game in the second quarter 40 apiece but that was as close as they would get for the rest of the game.

Post game notes: Monday night the Kings took on the Wizards at Golden 1 Center. Fox was back on the court after missing the last game against the Utah Jazz. The Kings were still basking in the glow of the amazing game that Murray had last Saturday. Watching Murray hit 12 three’s and finishing with a career-high 47 points is a memory that will go down in the 2023-24 season. He is really coming into his own. The Kings were able to contain Jordan Poole (28 pts) who always poses a threat and Kyle Kuzma (27 pts) always makes an impact. The Kings are on a roll right now and have continued down that path in this game.

Wednesday night, the Sacramento Kings take on the Boston Celtics at Golden 1 Center. The Celtics are in first place in the Eastern Conference. This will be a great matchup for Sacramento. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Can Raiders keep the offense going against Chiefs in KC on Christmas day?

Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) scores against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on Thu Dec 14, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria:

On the Raiders podcast with Tony R:

#1 Tony, after the Raiders got shutout last Sunday 3-0 on Thursday Night Football it was a smorgasbord of scoring for the Raiders in the first half where Las Vegas scored three touchdowns in each of the first and second quarters.

#2 Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce never one to give up and never give up on quarterback Aidan O’Connell who was pretty much able to throw all night against a virtual non existent Los Angeles Charger defense.

#3 O’Connell had four touchdowns on his portfolio before the third quarter even ended. O’Connell was well over 200 yards in passing at 241 and was 19-32 and had command of his offense all night long a stark contrast from last Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings where he just couldn’t get anything going.

#4 Tony, Raiders wide receiver Devante Adams who was grumbling about not getting enough touches this season got seven receptions by the third quarter, 94 yards and one touchdown. He was besides himself as the Raiders picked up their victory since Nov 12th and snapped their three game losing streak.

#5 The Raiders head to Kansas City and Arrowhead Stadium to face the Chiefs on Mon Dec 25th on Christmas day. The Chiefs are coming off a win over the New England Patriots 27-17 after getting going on a two game losing streak. The Chiefs are trying to regroup how do you see this contest on Christmas Day on Monday?

Join Tony for the Raiders podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda get two game sweep over Wranglers

San Jose Barracuda fans participate in the Teddy Bear Toss after the Barracuda scored it’s first goal against the visiting Calgary Wranglers on Sat Dec 16, 2023 at Tech CU in San Jose (San Jose Barracuda photo)

On the SJ Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 San Jose scored twice on the power play in route to a 5-2 victory over the Calgary Wranglers at Tech CU Arena on Saturday evening.

#2 San Jose swept the two-game series with its third win a row as they won back-to-back games for the first time this season. Calgary has lost three games in a row.

#3 Ethan Cardwell’s goal sent the Tech CU Arena crowd into a throwing frenzy as it was the annual ‘Cuda Teddy Bear Toss Night where 3,126 fans throw stuffed animals from the stands for charity after the home team scores its first goal of the contest.

#4 The Barracuda scored an insurance goal with an even strength goal at the 12:36 mark. Radim Simek led a two-on-one odd man rush along with Nathan Todd. Simek set up Todd with a pass down the middle of the ice and Todd beat Murphy top-shelf with a wrist shot for his sixth goal of the season. Todd extended his point streak to seven games.

#5 San Jose concludes its three-game homestand against the Tucson Roadrunners on Wednesday 12/20 at 7:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

Marko Ukalovic is a San Jose Barracuda beat writer at http://www.sportsradioservice.com