Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings go for the sweep concluding two game set with Rockets tonight in Sac

Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes is defended by Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (1) during the second half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Wed Jan 11, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1The Kings would turn up the heat on the Rockets and score 31 points in the first quarter. Granted, that was only good for a four-point lead as the Rockets scored 27 themselves.

#2 The Kings built on the lead early in the second quarter and then lost it. The Kings scored 36 points in the second quarter. That was a good number, but the defense suffered. The Kings Kryptonite all year has been defense.

#3 Wednesday was no exception to this rule. The Rockets scored 35 points in the second quarter to keep pace with the Kings. However, the Kings would take a five-point 67-62 lead into halftime.

#4 De’Aaron Fox led the way in the first half with 12 points, as Jalen Green led the way for the Rockets with 18.

#5 The Kings stay home to take on the Houston Rockets in the second game of the series on Friday at 7 PM PST at Golden 1 Center in downtown Sacramento.

Join Jeremiah Fridays for the Sacramento Kings podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Daniel Dullum: Stanford Women continue to roll; Cardinal bring 11 game win streak to UCLA tonight

The Stanford Cardinal forward Cameron Brink (22) tries to take the ball past the Cal Bears defense at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sun Jan 8, 2023 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

#1 The only way the Stanford Cardinal (16-1) were going to stop the Cal Bears (10-5) Leilani McIntosh was for the Cardinal to rely on Cameron Brink to match each of her shots as time was running out and the Cardinal just got by the Bears 60-56.

#2 Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer knows about being road tested and the Cal Bears were no exception they gave it all they had but fell short. VanDerveer knows the game against the Bears helps build character as the Cardinal prepare in UCLA tonight.

#3 It was a big night for Brink who scored 25 points and 17 rebounds with three blocked shots. Brink is having a year looking at the year she’s having she very well could wind up in the WNBA someday.

#4 Haley Jones had 12 points with 11 rebounds was one of two players to finish in double figures against Cal on Friday night and Brink and Jones have been a great tandem.

#5 The Cardinal prepare for tonight’s game against the UCLA Bruins (14-2) who just defeated the USC Trojans (11-4) last Sunday. The Cardinal and Bruins match up for an 8:00pm tip off at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles.

Join Daniel Dullum for Cardinal podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Washington dominates in 86-69 win over Cardinal

Washington Huskies Keion Brooks Jr forward (1) gets a jump on the Stanford Cardinal at Alaskan Airlines Arena in Seattle on Thu Jan 12, 2023 (USA Today photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Thursday, January 12, 2023

Washington had five players in double-figure scoring on Thursday, as the Huskies defeated Stanford 86-69 in Pac-12 men’s basketball before an announced crowd of 5,692 at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle.

Braxton Meah led the Huskies (10-8 overall, 2-5 Pac-12) with 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Keion Brooks Jr. was next for Washington with 19 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks. Koren Johnson added 15 points, followed by Cole Bajema and Kenyon Menifield with 11 points each.

Spencer Jones scored 12 points to lead the Cardinal (5-11 overall, 0-6 Pac-12). Max Murrell and Ryan Agarwal each scored 10 points, while Harrison Ingram scored nine points and had nine rebounds. Brandon Angel had three assists, and Spencer and Michael Jones each had six rebounds.

The Cardinal took a 7-0 lead to open the game, but Washington tied the game at 15-15 seven minutes later, eventually building a 47-29 lead at halftime. Stanford got no closer than 52-37 after Spencer Jones hit a 3-pointer at 17:57 of the second half.

Menifield hit 1-of-2 free throws at 16:11 to give the Huskies a 57-37 lead.

Stanford was held to 34 percent shooting from the field (24 of 70); the Huskies hit 33 of 59 (56 percent), including nine 3-pointers. Washington also dominated inside, scoring 44 points in the paint, as well as 20 points off of 12 Cardinal turnovers.

The Cardinal travel to Pullman, Wash., on Saturday to face Washington State. Tip-off is at 5 p.m.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 2023 For the A’s “This Is It”

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred takes a walk on the field before Game 2 of an American League Division Series game between the Houston Astros and the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Field in Houston, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022. Manfred has repeatedly said that the Oakland Coliseum location is not viable and is only focused on the Howard Terminal location in downtown Oakland (AP News photo file)

2023 For the A’s: “This Is It”

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Like one of the Top 100 Songs on Billboard in the year 1979, Kenny Loggins “This Is It”. This 2023 Is It for the Oakland A’s. We will know if they are staying in Oakland while they build their new planned baseball park at Howard Terminal. Or leaving Oakland for Las Vegas.

Or new owners buy the team and pledge to keep them in Oakland. Pick one. Those are the most likely scenarios. They will not build their new park at the same location (in my opinion the best) the Oakland Coliseum; that is out of the question since Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred had repeatedly stated that is not an option.

The A’s have played in Oakland since 1968 and won 4 World Series at the Oakland Coliseum, only the Los Angeles Dodgers since 1958 have won more World Series among all five California teams with six titles.

What scenarios are left?

1-The current ownership of the A’s comes to an agreement with the City of Oakland to build Howard Terminal. Currently. There are no talks with Sheng Thao the new Mayor elected of Oakland. How likely is that? Depends on who you talk to. The city of Oakland had agreed to publicly fund the transportation and infrastructure around the privately funded 35,000-seat, 55-acre ballpark at the Port of Oakland complex named Howard Terminal.

The city applied for a federal grant estimated at a cost of $366 million, with the city’s request for $182 million, but that city application for $182 million was not approved. The funding is not there. That is not good news for those that want the A’s to stay.

But the City of Oakland and the Oakland A’s do not have a binding contract. So far all is non-binding. Difference? What is a binding contract? A “binding contract” is any agreement that’s legally enforceable. That means if you sign a binding contract and don’t fulfill your end of the bargain, the other party can take you to court.

2- Las Vegas, Nevada. The A’s have talked with multiple site owners, all adjacent to the Las Vegas Strip. Two sites primarily, one next to Circus Circus owned by Phil Ruffin, and the other one at the current site of the Tropicana, recently purchased by Bally’s Corporation.

Bally’s corporation and Sinclair Broadcasting acquired a group of stations from Fox Regional Sports which currently have the broadcast rights for various major league baseball teams. For a while, A’s were talking with Phil Ruffin regarding the Las Vegas Fairground site, (according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal), but that is not the case anymore. It seems as of today, the Las Vegas Review-Journal confirmed the A’s have the Tropicana site as their favorite. Looks like the A’s have picked their site.

3- If the Oakland A’s get an offer from a new owner to buy the team. Although the A’s are not officially for sale, there are two teams currently for sale, the Washington Nationals and the Los Angeles Angels. Since 2005 Joe Lacob and Peter Guber have expressed their interest for buying the A’s and keeping them in Oakland but the A’s current ownership was not interested. Now Lacob and Gruber are interested in the LA Angels, but in the world of business there are always surprises. So for those that want to keep the A’s in Oakland it would be very good news that a new owner buys the team.

The Oakland Athletics will have their relocation fee waived if they decide to move to Las Vegas, and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred says 2023 is a big year when it comes to the future of the franchise. Yes indeed, “This Is It” 2023 is here. Fish or cut bait.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Oakland A’s lead Spanish radio play by play announcer on flagship station 1010 KIQI San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears podcast with Michael Duca: Cougars play catch up on Cal 66-51; Cal just missed getting third straight win

Washington State forward DJ Rodman (11) celebrates his basket during the second half of the team’s NCAA college basketball game against California, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in Pullman, Wash. (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Michael:

#1 Michael it looked promising but the Cal Bears (3-14) couldn’t hold on and fell apart on offense and defense to the Washington State Cougars (8-10) 66-51 on Wednesday night in Pullman.

#2 Cal was down at halftime 31-30 but the Cougars opened the second half with a 12-0 run and the Bears couldn’t even catch up.

#3 The Cougars had a 23 point lead just before garbage time kicked in and the Bears just were left with just no chance to catch up and get back in this one.

#4 To say the least the Bears melted down in the second half and they just simply couldn’t stop the Cougars who were just having their way in scoring. The Cougars were just simply blowing past the Cal defense and whole different story then the first half.

#5 The Bears head to Seattle to face the Washington Huskies (9-8) who are on a five game losing streak. Michael get your take on how you see these two teams on Saturday night a 3:00pm tip at Alaskan Airlines Arena.

Join Michael for the Cal Bears podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Third period collapse by Barracuda gives Gulls victory 5-2

Photo courtesy of San Jose Barracuda Twitter. Patrick Sieloff readies himself before a game.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

On the last game of a four game road stand the Barracuda fell flat in the third period and lost to the San Diego Gulls by a score of 5-2.

The game started off promising enough for San Jose as 4:49 in Jeffrey Viel scored his sixth goal of the season assisted by Adam Raska and Darren Brady. Making it 1-0 Barracuda on top early on in the contest.

After that goal San Jose went on the power play twice but failed to convert on both opportunities.

12:44 into the first William Eklund found himself on a two-on-one and buried a wrist shot home past Lukas Dostal to make it 2-0 San Jose.

That was the last goal of the period as the Barracuda dominated the period leading in shots as well by a wide margin of 14-3.

San Diego in the second came out with a new sense of determination and just 2:15 into the period they made the Barracuda pay.

From an awkward shot off the right wing boards Pavol Regenda sneaked his seventh goal of the season past goalie Eetu Makiniemi.

A little later in the second period a surprising event occurred when Eklund fought Glenn Gawdin resulting in Eklund being ejected from the game for instigation.

On the ensuing power play the Gulls scored as Benoit-Olivier Groulx tipped home a pass from Brayden Tracey tying the game at two.

There were a few more penalties between the two team though no more goal were scored in the period.

The shots at the end of the first favored San Jose 22-16.

In the third period both teams continued to load up on penalty minutes while the power play units continued to go cold.

Later on in the period on a wrap around feed Hunter Drew deposited the puck into an empty cage to give the Gulls a late lead.

San Jose pulled their goalie to try to come back but two empty net goals by Rocco Grimaldi dashed those hopes.

Putting the score at a final of 5-2 in favor of San Diego.

The shots at the end of the game favored San Jose at 31-24.

The three stars of the game 1st: Rocco Grimaldi 2nd: Hunter Drew 3rd: Pavol Regenda

San Jose plays the Canucks on Saturday at home at 6 p.m.

Cal Bears game wrap: Bears fail to get third straight win in second half melt down to Cougars 66-51 at Wazzu

Cal Bears head coach Mark Fox said that the team just didn’t hold it together in the second half and let the game get away against the Washington Cougars on Wed Jan 11, 2023 at Pullman WA (AP News photo)

By Michael Duca and Morris Phillips

The hot hand of the Washington State Cougars (8-10) DJ Rodman who was responsible for hitting four three pointers Wednesday night in Pullman. Rodman who finished up with 14 points to help defeat the Cal Bears (3-14). Mouhamed Gueye like Rodman scored 14 as both finished tied for the leading scoring category for the Cougars.

The Cougars Justin Powell finished third in scoring with 12 points and rounded out the WSU players who finished in double figures. The Bears made seven of their last field goal attempts in first half action. The Bears Grant Newell and DeJuan Clayton both help cut Washington State lead down to a point at the half 31-30.

The Cougars in the second half broke out with a 15-2 run with Kymany Houinsou making a lay up against the Bears 15 seconds into the second half. Rodman made the Cal defense melt like butter hitting three three pointers in two minutes and 12 seconds and you could see that was taking a toll on the Bears for any chance to get back in this game.

The shots were not falling for Cal going 2-12 to start the second half and the Bears never got within single digits to catching the Cougars for the rest of the way. Marcel Roberson was the only Bear to finish in double figures and wound up with a career high 11 points.

Cal’s shooting was way down finishing with 28.6% 8 for 28 and went 0-11 on three pointers. The Cougars simply took Cal out of their game when the opened the second half with a 12-0 run. After Roberson in scoring all single digit finalists Obinna Anyanwu, Kuany Kuany, and Grant Newell all with seven points, Clayton and Lars Thiemann finishing up with six points each.

The Bears go onto Seattle to face the Washington Huskies who are in a three game losing streak for a 3:00pm tip off on Sat Jan 14th at Alaskan Airlines Arena on the University of Washington campus.

Kings take out Rockets in 20 point win in first of two game series

By Jeremiah Salmonson

Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason, center, and forward Bruno Fernando (20) defend against Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk during the first half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Wed Jan 11, 2023 (AP News photo)

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings (22-18) were back in action on Wednesday at home. The Kings last game was Monday, where they took on the Orlando Magic. The Kings were able to handle the Magic with ease in the blowout win 136-111.

On Wednesday, the Kings welcomed the Houston Rockets (18-31) to Sacramento. The Rockets were in town for a two-game series with games to be played on Wednesday and Friday nights. The Rockets came in 10-30 on the season, as the Kings were 21-18. The tip-off was set for 7 PM PST in Sacramento. GAME RESULT The Kings took the first of the two game set with a 20 point win 135-115 at Golden 1 Center.

In the first quarter, the Rockets started strong. They scored the first eight points of the game to put the Kings on notice. However, that would be short-lived. The Kings would turn up the heat on the Rockets and score 31 points in the first quarter. Granted, that was only good for a four-point lead as the Rockets scored 27 themselves. The Kings would have a first-quarter lead and look to expand that in the second quarter.

The Kings built on the lead early in the second quarter and then lost it. The Kings scored 36 points in the second quarter. That was a good number, but the defense suffered. The Kings Kryptonite all year has been defense; Wednesday was no exception to this rule. The Rockets scored 35 points in the second quarter to keep pace with the Kings. However, the Kings would take a five-point 67-62 lead into halftime. De’Aaron Fox led the way in the first half with 12 points, as Jalen Green led the way for the Rockets with 18.

In the third quarter, the Kings did not play well. Not only did the Kings defense not show up the offense wasn’t able to pick them up. The Rockets outscored the Kings 33-27 in the third quarter to come back and take the lead from the Kings. The Rockets would head into the final quarter with a one-point lead over the Kings. The Kings would need someone to step up in the fourth quarter if they wanted to win the game.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings do what good teams do against a poor opponent; the Kings took over. The Kings offense and defense simultaneously exploded in the fourth quarter as the Kings outscored the Rockets 41-20. It was a massive quarter for the Kings and a welcome sight, given so many close games late this season.

Trey Lyles was the hero of the quarter, scoring 15 of his 20 points in the fourth to lead the Kings to a 20 point win over the Rockets. Leading the way for the Kings was Domantas Sabonis, who was an assist shy of a triple-double. The Rockets best performance came from Alperen Sengun, who had a 10, 10, and 10 triple-double in the loss. The Kings improved to 22-18 as the Rockets fell to 10-31.

Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the Houston Rockets in the second game of the series on Friday at 7 PM PST.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Kings Vilardi and Doughty score third period goals 53 seconds apart to down Sharks 4-3 at Crypto.com Arena

Los Angeles Kings center Quinton Byfield, left, scores on San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer, right, as defenseman Matt Benning, second from left, defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic, center, and center Anze Kopitar watch during the first period at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Wed Jan 11, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 The San Jose Sharks (13-22-8) couldn’t hold their own on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles going into the third period with a 2-1 lead Timo Meier tied it 2-2. The Los Angeles Kings (24-14-6) got scoring help in the third period with goals by Gabriel Vilardi and Drew Doughty scoring 53 seconds apart for a 4-3 Kings win in the last meeting with the Sharks.

#2 The Kings Quinton Bayfield scored a goal and got an assist for the Kings who have now won three straight games.

#3 The Kings Phoenix Copely stopped 26 shots and is one of the winningest goaltenders in the NHL with a 12-2 record.

#4 The Sharks Timo Meier scored his first power play goal of the season and an assist. They were playing the second of back to back games after playing in Arizona on Tuesday night.

#5 The Sharks host the Edmonton Oilers (22-18-3). The Oilers having a pretty good run right now having won five of their last ten games and winning their last game convincingly 6-2 over the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday. Tell us how you see this match up between the Sharks and Oilers Friday.

Join Len for the Sharks podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Lose 4-3, Suffer Season Sweep to Kings

Jonathan Quick (32) Los Angeles Kings goaltender congratulates teammate and starting goaltender Phoenix Copley (29) after defeating the visiting San Jose Sharks at Crypto.com Arena on Wed Jan 11, 2023 (Los Angeles Kings photo)

By Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks scored their first power play goal of 2023 but it wasn’t enough to stave off a season sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Kings Wednesday night in LA. Nick Bonino scored an un assisted goal and Timo Meier and Tomas Hertl lit the lamp but a pair of third period goals boosted the Kings to a 4-3 victory.

Adrian Kempe started the scoring for the Kings, beating James Reimer 5:59 into the game for a 1-0 lead. Kempe shoveled a puck fed from Quentin Byfield below the goalline past Reimer’s opposite side pad for his 18th goal of the year.

The Kings would fire 22 shots on Reimer but he stood tall apart from the one blemish, giving Bonino a chance to tie the game 1:20 into the 2nd period. LA goalie Pheonix Copley flubbed a shot from Erik Karlsson that went in and out of his glove. He tried to play the puck away from danger but heeled it, giving Bonino the gimme backhander for his 5th of the year.

Kings prospect Byfield scored his 1st goal of the year in 15 games, handing LA the 2-1 lead 6:58 into the 2nd on a netfront tip that beat Reimer five-hole. Timo Meier responded though, snapping am 0-for-16 power play drought when his wrister beat Copley at the 10:11 mark of the third period. Logan Couture and Erik Karlsson assisted on the goal.

The tie would last only 2:29 when Gabe Vilardi would beat Reimer with another slot tip for his 17th of the year. Drew Doughty then cashed in as a wide open trailer in what would become a 3-on-2 at the 13:33 mark for a 4-2 lead.

Tomas Hertl scored as the Sharks were attempting to pull Reimer with 2:06 left in regulation. Alexander Barabanov took the shot that presumably knicked Hertl on the way in with Meier also getting an assist for his 2nd point of the night.

The Sharks return home for a three-game homestand before hitting the road for 8 games with the All-star break in between the away set.