Cal Bears basketball with Michael Duca: After two straight wins can Cal take on USC in the Southland tonight?

latimes.com photo: USC head coach Andy Enfield, right, yells at forward Nick Rakocevic during the first half against UCLA on Saturday at Pauley Pavilion

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Cal (8-8) has won their last two games that has to be a confidence building in this Pac 12 Conference schedule after the Bears lost the Pac 12 opener against Stanford to start conference play.

#2 The two last wins came over Washington State (10-6)  and Washington (11-6) schools with better records and better offense but Mark Fox has made some changes what changes have you seen by coach Fox.

#3 Coach Fox has said he does depend on scoring from Grant Anitcevich and Matt Bradley and they’ve come through in these last two games.

#4 One of the things that Anticevich brought up was the defense was getting better and better with each game.

#5 The real wake up call will be tonight at USC (13-3) against the Trojans can the Bears handle playing on the USC floor and maybe beat the odds?

Cal Bears podcasts with Michael Duca are heard each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cardinal triumph at Pauley Pavilion for first time in 15 years 74-59

sfgate.com photo: Stanford forward Oscar da Silva shoots around UCLA forward Jalen Hill during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020.

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Wednesday, January 15, 2020

For the first time in 15 years, Stanford has won a men’s basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles.

Tyrell Terry scored a career-high 24 points for the Cardinal in their 74-59 Pac-12 victory over UCLA Wednesday. It was Stanford’s first win over the Bruins at Pauley since 2003-04, and its first conference road win of the season.

Terry was 6 of 13 from the field, including 4 of 7 on 3-pointers. He was also 8 of 10 at the free throw line.

Spencer Jones added 14 points for the Cardinal (15-2 overall, 4-0 Pac-12), which has won three straight conference games, and eight of their last nine.

Leading the Bruins was Jaime Jaquez Jr. with 15 points, followed by Jalen Hill with 14 points and 12 rebounds. The Bruins (8-9, 1-3) are in the midst of their second three-game losing streak of the season.

UCLA had won 13 straight home games against Stanford since 2005-06.

After the Bruins closed to within one point early in the second half, Stanford went on a 12-2 run to go up 50-39.

The Cardinal’s Oscar da Silva – who was averaging 16.5 points – scored only six points, plagued by four personal fouls.

Stanford opened the game with an 18-9 run, connecting on 7 of 10 shots while the Bruins missed seven of their first 10 attempts.

But UCLA put together runs of 9-0 and 11-0 to take its first lead at 29-22. At one point during the 20-4 scoring run, the Bruins had seven different players score.

The Cardinal regrouped and forged an 11-2 run to end the first half leading 33-31.

Stanford shot 51 percent (24-47), including 8-17 on 3-pointers. UCLA made 21 of 53 field goals (39.6 percent) and was 5 of 16 behind the arc.

Stanford continues its road trip on Saturday, visiting Southern California.

Kings just couldn’t get to finish line Mavericks win it 127-123

@Sportsnet photo: The Dallas Mavericks Luka Doncic was hard to contain as he and the Mavericks rains buckets on the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night at Golden One Center in Sacramento

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SRS Kings beat writer

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings continued to be mire in the mist that is mediocrity. Just when you think they are turning a corner they have a puzzling defeat that puts them back at square one.

The Kings were hoping to flip the script against an opponent they beat on the road last month, the Dallas Mavericks. It was set to be the showdown of Luka Doncic and Marvin Bagley both of whom were picked high in the draft two seasons ago. The tip-off was set for 7 PM PST at Golden One Center.

In the first quarter, the Kings got a strong showing from Buddy Hield. Trying to put his early-season struggles behind him, Buddy was in double figures in the first with ten points. However, the Mavericks managed to take the early lead on 55.6% shooting 35-31. Maxi Kleber was the leading scorer for the Mavs with eight points.

In the second quarter, The Kings kept things close. The Kings scored 36 points in the second but it wasn’t enough to take the lead. The Mavs added 36 as well to keep the game right where it started in the second at a four-point Kings deficit 71-67. The games leading scorers to this point were Buddy Hield and Seth Curry who both had 16 points. The Kings would look to keep up the pace on defense to contain the Mavs offense.

In the third quarter, The Kings had a familiar occurrence take place. That is the third-quarter meltdown. The Mavs outscored the Kings 37 to 26 in the third to make it a 108-93 game. The Kings looked defeated. The Kings defense had let them down in a big way. The Mavs had scored 35, 36, and 37 points in the first three quarters. No NBA team is going to win a game with those numbers. The Kings were heading into the final session looking for a miracle.

In the final quarter, no miracle occurred in Sacramento. The Mavericks scored 19 in the fourth compared to the Kings 20 as the Mavs came away with the victory 127-123. The Leading scorers for the Kings in defeat were De’Aaron Fox with 27 points, Buddy Hield with 25 points and Harrison Barnes who put up 22. For the victorious Mavericks, it was Luka Doncic who had 24 points to go along with 17 assists and 15 rebounds. The Kings are now 15-26 on the season and are running out of excuses.

They are about to embark on a long road trip that will really test this team’s resolve to stay in the hunt this season.

Up Next: The Kings head out on the road to take on the Utah Jazz on Saturday at 6 PM PST. The Kings won’t return home until January 29th.

Packers and 49ers tangle for NFC title, trip to Super Bowl LIV

ninerswire.com file photo: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will match up against Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rogers in the NFC Championship at Levis Stadium on Sun Jan 19

By Joe Hawkes
SRS Contributor

SANTA CLARA, Calif — For the second time this season, the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers will meet at Levi’s Stadium for a game. But this time, there’s much more at stake for both teams than just a win in the standings.

To the victor, the NFC Championship and a ticket to Super Bowl LIV in Miami, Florida for a chance to play for the Vince Lombardi trophy against the winner between the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs from the AFC will be punched.

First class.

To the loser, the harsh reality that your season is over smacks you in face immediately.

Instead of basking in the glow of winning the NFC Championship, you’ll return to your team’s headquarters to clean out your locker room, hug your teammates (possibly for the last time as teams change rapidly in the NFL each year), and go your separate ways for the offseason.

The end.

In the first matchup back in Week 12, the Packers took a beating at the hands of the 49ers, losing 37-8 at Levi’s Stadium. The Packers weren’t just outplayed by the 49ers, but were embarrassed in front of a nationally televised audience on NBC’s Sunday Night Football.

49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo played almost flawlessly in that game, throwing for 253 yards on 14-of-20 passes and two long touchdown passes (a 42-yard strike to rookie wide receiver Deebo Samuel in the second quarter, and a 61-yard deep ball to tight end George Kittle).

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had one of his worst showings of his career, finishing with 20-of-33 passes for just 104 yards — setting a record for fewest passing yards by a quarterback with at least 20 completions. His 3.15 yards per attempt is the lowest of his career.

San Francisco sacked Rodgers five times that night. Linebacker Fred Warner was all over the field, registering a team-high 11 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble against the Packers on the game’s opening moments. Warner’s performance led him to be named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

Don’t expect a replay of Week 12 in this matchup as both teams are playing a elite levels at the most important time of the year.

Sunday’s NFC Championship Game in the South Bay, which kicks off at 3:40 p.m. PT, will feature two teams that finished 13-3 in the regular season, won the NFC West and North Division titles respectively, and earned first-round byes to open up the playoffs as the top-two seeds.

Last Saturday, top-seeded San Francisco (14-3) opened up the divisional round by dismantling the Minnesota Vikings (11-7), 27-10, in dominating fashion. It was the 49ers’ first playoff win in six years.

The returns of defensive starters, Dee Ford, Kwon Alexander and Jaquiski Tartt, San Francisco’s defense looked re-energized and ready for a big day, made life difficult for Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, sacking him six times and limiting Minnesota’s offense to 147 yards on the day, the fewest in a playoff game in the Super Bowl era (1967).

“People keep disrespecting us. At the end of the day, all you can do is go out and execute,” said Richard Sherman, who registered his third career interception in the playoffs. “It felt good. That’s what we look like when we’re totally healthy.”

The 49ers stonewalled Dalvin Cook and the Vikings’ rushing attack, holding Minnesota to just 21 yards on 10 carries (9 carries for Cook, 1 carry for Alexander Mattison). Cook finished the game with 18 rushing yards on nine carries.

Offensively, the 49ers leaned on a punishing running game that ran right through Minnesota like Ex-Lax led by running back Tevin Coleman’s 105 rushing yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns. As a team, the 49ers ran 47 running plays and gained 186 yards on the ground.

Garoppolo, who made his first career start in the playoffs, threw a touchdown on the game’s opening drive, and mostly watched his defense wreak havoc on Minnesota for most of the game. He finished 11-of-19 passing for 131 yards.

The second-seeded Packers (14-3) was able to outlast the Seattle Seahawks, 28-23, at Lambeau Field Sunday night that advanced Green Bay to their third NFC Championship Game in six seasons.

In that game, it was a vintage performance by Rodgers with his array of throws and spectacular completions throughout the game. Rodgers and wide receiver Davante were so locked in against the Seahawks, connecting eight times for 160 yards and two touchdowns.

“It’s one of those feelings that starts to creep up in warmups, when you really feel like you’re locked in,” Rodgers said, “and I was glad it translated to the field.”

Rodgers finished 16-of-27 passing for 243 yards in his 17th postseason start, has thrown 38 touchdowns passes in the playoffs. That’s good for fifth all-time per Elias Sports Bureau.

Running back Aaron Jones found the end zone twice, while rushing for 62 yards on 21 carries.

Green Bay’s defense sacked Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson five times on the night, two apiece by linebackers Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith (no relation).

The 49ers and Packers have met in the playoffs seven times with the Packers holding a 4-3 advantage. The 49ers have won the last two playoff matchups.

 

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Coming off one goal loss to Stockton, Barracuda looking forward to puck drop with Colorado tonight

stocktonheat.com photo: The San Jose Barracuda who hosted the Stockton Heat last Sunday will face off tonight against the Colorado Eagles the Colorado Avalanche AHL affiliate at SAP Center in San Jose tonight

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 The game in Stockton was razor close a loss for the SJ Barracuda against the Stockton Heat 2-1 the Barracuda has been trying to get on track and it was frustrating to lose by a goal.

#2 Winning at home is important for co-coaches Jimmy Bonneau and Michael Chiasson for them it was a missed opportunity

#3 San Jose goaltender Josef Korenar (7-13-2) surrendered two goals and stopped 19 shots in the loss

#4 Austin Czarnik scored his seventh and eighth goals for the season which all that the Heat needed to win the game

#5 The Barracuda host the Colorado Eagles tonight at SAP Center in San Jose Marko tells us how he sees this match up

Marko Ukalovic does the Barracuda podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Sharks can’t hold a tie game Coyotes rally in third period for 6-3 win

nhl.com photo: The Arizona Coyotes Derek Stepan (21) and the San Jose Sharks Evander Kane (9) get ready for the puck to drop in Glendale on Tuesday night

On the Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 The San Jose Sharks and the Arizona Coyotes were all knotted up in a 3-3 duel that was all the Yotes needed to come back and score three goals in the third period for a three goal win 6-3 on home ice in Glendale.

#2 The Coyotes Taylor Hall and Phil Kessel both found the back end of the net Tuesday night against San Jose both scoring twice and were the difference in the Coyotes offense

#3 The Sharks knew going into this one in Glendale the Coyotes would be a tough customer and after this game was tied up the Sharks were counting on their defense but the Coyotes used their game plan to stay in the Sharks zone camp out there and score three late goals to help them win it.

#4 For the Sharks goaltender Aaron Dell 38 saves, four goals let in and a rough night in front of the net for Dell

#5 The Sharks will try and regroup and head onto Colorado on Thursday night Len sets up this game

Sharks podcasts are heard every Wednesday with Len Shapiro at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Dallas continues their dominance blows out Golden State 124-97

By Jerry Feitelberg

San Francisco- There was good news and bad news for the Golden State Warriors as they hosted the high-scoring Dallas Mavericks at the Chase Center Tuesday night. The bad news is that the Mavericks blew out the Warriors 124-97. The good news is that the Warriors will not face them again this season. The Mavs trounced the W’s all three times. The only time that the Warriors lead was in the first quarter when Draymond Green knocked down a three to give the W’s a 3-2 lead. From that point on, it was all Dallas.

In the first quarter, with the Mavs leading 16-13, the guys from Dallas hit three consecutive three-point shots to lead 25-13. The Mavericks finished the first quarter with a 10-point advantage 36-26. The Mavericks, led by Luka Doncic and Dwight Powell, continued to pour it on. The Mavericks had a considerable height advantage. They utilized their huge center from Serbia, seven-foot four-inch, Boban Marjanovic, to control the boards and protect the rim at their end of the court. The Mavs finished the first 24 minutes of play with a commanding 64-47 lead. The scoring leader for Dallas was the former Stanford Cardinal, Dwight Powell. Powell led the Mavs with 15. Doncic had 10. Tim Hardaway, Jr, the son of the former great Warrior guard Tim Hardaway, added 10. Maxi Kleber had nine, and the Dallas bench kicked in with 21. The Mavs shot 55% from the floor. The W’s 42%. The Mavs outrebounded the Warriors 30 to 15.

The Mavs dominated the third period as they built a 28-point lead 84-56. It was at this point that the W’s went on a 13-0 run to make it 84-69. Dallas regained the momentum and finished the third period with a commanding 23-point cushion 94-71.

There are not too many teams in the NBA that can come back from a 23-point deficit to start the fourth quarter. Tuesday’s game was not the exception. The Mavericks cruised to a comfortable victory. The Warriors’  rookies Jordan Poole and Eric Paschal had the opportunity to get more minutes of playing time. Poole, who was demoted to the G-League for a couple of games, has played well since his return. Paschall appears to be rounding back into playing shape after missing several games. Dallas won the game 124-97.

Game Notes and Stats- With about four minutes left in the second quarter, Jacob Evans was injured. Evans was going for a rebound when he was stuck in the face by Dwight Powell. Powell’s elbow landed near Evans’ cheekbone, and Jacob crumpled to the floor. He was able to stand, but he looked dazed and wobbled, walking back to the locker room. It was reported that the team sent Evans to the hospital for treatment. The extent of his injury is not known at this time.

The Warriors did not play Damion Lee or Ky Bowman Tuesday night. Lee is expected to sign an NBA contract with the team on Wednesday. The Mavericks’ big guy Kristaps Porzingis did not play due to an injury.

The Warriors are expected to sign Marquese Chriss to a two-way contract on Wednesday. Chriss will split his time playing in the G-League with Santa Cruz and will be recalled when needed to play with the W’s.

The Warriors had six players in double figures. Poole led the team with 17. Eric Paschall had 16, D’Angelo Russell13, Glenn Robinson 13, Alec Burks 10, and Omari Spellman 10.

Dwight Powell, who loves to torment the Warriors, led the Mavs with 21. Luka Doncic, who averages 29 points a game, was “held” to just 20. Maxi Kleber had 11, the big Serbian Marjanovich finished with a double-double 13 points and 11 rebounds. J.J. Barea had 11.

The Warriors dropped to 9-33 to own the worst record in the NBA. The Atlanta Hawks won their game and just 1/2 game better with a record of 9-32. The Mavericks improved to 25-18. They currently reside in sixth place in the Western Conference.

The Warriors resume play Thursday night when they host the Denver Nuggets at the Chase Center. The game will start at 7:30 pm.

Coyotes hold off ‘desperate’ Sharks with late empty-net goals 6-3

sfgate.com photo: Arizona Coyotes left wing Taylor Hall (91) scores a goal as Coyotes center Christian Dvorak (18), San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) and Sharks defenseman Radim Simek (51) look on during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz.

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Tuesday, January 14, 2020

GLENDALE, Ariz. — If there’s such a thing as key empty-net goals, the Arizona Coyotes came up with two of them to put away the San Jose Sharks Tuesday.

With the Sharks mounting a late rally, Hunter Garland and Taylor Hall each converted empty-netters to seal a 6-3 victory, as Arizona moved back into first place in the NHL Pacific Division while snapping a three-game losing skid and stopping San Jose’s winning streak at two.

With the Coyotes leading 4-2 in the third period, Evander Kane scored his team-leading 19th goal of the season on the power play to pull the Sharks to within 4-3.

In the final two minutes, Conor Garland and Taylor Hall each popped in empty-net tallies while San Jose was employing a sixth attacker.

“It was just simple plays that got us back in it in the third period,” Hall, who had two goals and an assist, said. “In that third period, we played to our talent really well.”

Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet said, “I liked our response against San Jose. They were making a press there in the second. They’re a good team; we were playing a desperate team and I thought we answered the bell when we had to.”

Kessel’s 10th goal of the season for Arizona opened the scoring at 12:03 of the first period. After Derek Stepan dug the puck out along the boards in the neutral zone, he sent a headman pass to Kessel, who fired a wrister from the right circle over San Jose goaltender Aaron Dell’s glove and off the crossbar.

Arizona made it 2-0 on its second power play opportunity. With Stefan Noesen serving a tripping minor, Kessel scored his second goal of the night, taking a centering pass from Christian Dvorak from behind the net and sent a one-timer from the slot past Dell at 5:01 of the second period.

San Jose responded at 6:42 of the second when Kevin Labanc mopped up on Kane’s original shot from just outside the crease, pushing It past Adin Hill, cutting the Arizona lead to 2-1.

Nearly three minutes later, Timo Meier scored the equalizer on his 16th goal of the season. Patrick Marleau threaded the needle on a lead pass to Meier, who slipped a wrist shot past Hill.

“Even in the first period, we played well,” Meier said. “We made some mistakes and gave them some chances. They cashed in on some and in the second period, we came back. We fought back, and in the end, we couldn’t finish it.”

Arizona regained the lead at 17:14 of the second period, when Hall took a rebound and redirected Jordan Oesterle’s original shot from the deep slot for his 11th goal.

Lawson Crouse’s 11th goal of the season put the Coyotes up 4-2 at 8:09 of the third period.

“I thought we were resilient coming back from (being down) 2-0, even at the end on the goalie-pull coming back,” Sharks coach Bob Boughner said. “We didn’t execute well enough tonight. It started on our breakouts. I think we were sloppy going back or making clean exits.

“I thought that we got sloppy a little bit on our penalty kills, and that’s what happens.”

The Sharks’ road trip continues at Colorado on Thursday and Vancouver on Saturday before taking their nine-day break.

“We were sloppy on execution, turning over pucks at the wrong time in the wrong situations,” Boughner said. “Give those guys (Coyotes) credit. They played well. I don’t think that we thought we were ever out of the game.

“We kept pushing, but tonight we just weren’t good enough. It’s one of those games where we’re going to have to make some corrections and come out a little more structured against Colorado.”

SHARK BITES: Arizona’s Taylor Hall recorded his 132nd career multi-point game and his third since joining the Coyotes. … Coyotes RW Phil Kessel recorded his 55th career multi-goal game. … San Jose scratches were Logan Couture (injured), Tim Heed and Joachim Blichfeld. Blichfeld was called up from the AHL Barracuda on Monday. … Coming into the game, the Sharks own the NHL’s best penalty kill, killing off 88.2 percent. San Jose also leads the NHL with least power play goals allowed with 20. … Attendance at Gila River Arena was 14,716.

TAGS: San Jose Sharks,Arizona Coyotes,NHL,Taylor Hall,Phil Kessel,Sports Radio Service

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Bang the drum slowly; Terrible 2020 for Puerto Rico; Alex Cora is Out as Red Sox Manager

abchouston13.com file photo: Former Boston Red Sox manager Joey Corey was fired on Tuesday by the Boston Red Sox after it was disclosed that he over saw the technology of sign stealing via TV monitors and plastic cans as drums when as bench coach of the Houston Astros and manager of the Red Sox

Terrible 2020 for Puerto Rico: Alex Cora is Out as Red Sox Manager

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

Days after Puerto Rico was shaken by powerful earthquakes, another thing has shaken the island. A day after the Houston Astros fired their Manager and General Manager, the Boston Red Sox part ways with their manager Alex Cora. This decision directly related to the investigation of the Astros sign-stealing allegations in the 2017 season. Cora was the bench coach for the Astros in 2017 and was found to have been involved in the operations from the replay room to transmit the signs in game situations.

Commissioner Rob Manfred statement on Alex Cora: “Cora was involved in developing both the banging scheme and utilizing the replay review room to decode and transmit signs,” Manfred wrote in his findings. “Cora participated in both schemes, and through his active participation, implicitly condoned the players’ conduct. I will withhold determining the appropriate level of discipline for Cora until after the [Department of Investigations] completes its investigation of the allegations that the Red Sox engaged in impermissible electronic sign stealing in 2018 while Cora was the manager.”

Alex Cora won the World Series as manager of the Boston Red Sox in 2018, becoming the first manager born in Puerto Rico to do so. Carlos Beltrán named new manager for the New York Mets last year, after season’s end, is also under investigation as he also was part of decision making for the the Houston team.

This has been a terrible beginning of this 2020 year for the island of Puerto Rico. The recent earthquakes that continue to devastate the island and now what just happened with Cora and also potentially Carlos Beltrán also born in Puerto Rico. The difference is that Beltrán has not managed his first game yet this upcoming season.

We probably have not heard the last on the sign-stealing scandal. And there should be more to come.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez has been covering the MLB sign stealing scandal and is the Oakland A’s radio Spanish play by play announcer on KIQI 1010 and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Third person to die this year at Baltimore home game; 49ers the favorites in NFC Championship; plus more

sfgate.com photo: Green Bay quarterback and former Cal Bears quarterback Aaron Rogers (12) will face the San Francisco 49ers this Sun Jan 19th at Levis Stadium for the NFC Championship

On That’s Amaury’s podcast:

#1 A third person died at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium this season and during Saturday’s playoff game between the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens a male fan fell while climbing the stairs in the stadium’s upper deck. Medics tried to resuscitate the victim who later passed away.

#2 The Green Bay Packers caught a big break just getting by the Seattle Seahawks to advance to the NFC Championship with a 28-23 win give credit to Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers.

#3 The Packers and San Francisco 49ers match up in the NFC Championship as the 49ers are coming offf a convincing 27-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings

#4 The Texas Rangers signed third baseman Todd Frazier to a one year deal worth $5 million. Frazier hit .251, 21 home runs, 67 RBI in 133 games last season.

#5 Ed Sprauge Sr a former original Oakland Athletic from the 1968 team died at 74 years old. Sprauge pitched in the show for eight years and his son Ed Jr also played part of his 11 years in the majors for the A’s survives his father.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio voice for A’s baseball on KIQI 1010 and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com