Kings put up a pathetic showing bow to the Timberwolves 105-104; Skid hits five

sacbee.com: Sacramento Kings De’Aaron Fox left Thursday night’s game at Golden One Center with back spasms and never returned, Fox had just recently returned after a previous injury. He’s day to day.

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–It’s been a rough month for the Kings. December has not treated them well. Going into this month, the Kings were looking at a break in the schedule. Instead, this has turned into a bit of a nightmare. The Kings were 4-8 in the month and they should be well over .500 in December if they hope to be a playoff team. Tonight was their shot. Their opponent, the Minnesota Timberwolves, were without their star Karl-Anthony Towns and still were able to win 105-104. The Kings were looking to get back on track against the Timberwolves at 7 PM PST.

In the first quarter, both teams started out slow. The Kings managed to put up 26 points in the quarter followed by Minnesota’s 21. The leading scorer in the game at this point was Marvin Bagley with nine points and teammate Bogdan Bogdanovic with eight. Robert Covington led the Timberwolves in the first with five points. Though the Kings were leading in the first, bad news loomed. Early in the first De’Aaron Fox came limping off the court in discomfort. It was later revealed he left the game with back spasms and would not return. Kings fans would hope for the best as Corey Joseph would run the point the rest of the game.

In the second, things did not get better for the Kings. They only managed to put up 22 points while the Timberwolves scored 29. This led to a 50-48 Timberwolves lead going into halftime. The Kings shooting was non-existent in the first half. They shot a combined 34.1% while shooting 23.5 from the long-range. The Timberwolves weren’t able to do much better. They shot a combined 40% and 22.7 from deep. The Kings have yet to play five games with all starters healthy, and it shows. The Kings are not able to find a rhythm on offense and the defense has also suffered of late. They would need to pick it up in the second half if they hoped to go home winners.

In the third, the Kings played better. They put up 31 points and held the Timberwolves offense to 21 points. Richaun Holmes and Harrison Barnes both added 8 points to their totals as Bogdan Bogdanovic was a steady force finishing the third with 15 points. The Kings would take a 79-71 lead into the final quarter.

Unfortunately for the Kings, the improved play didn’t last. The Kings disappeared in the fourth quarter. With 4:09 remaining in the quarter, the Kings had only scored seven points. It was a pathetic showing from a team that has been struggling to get an offensive rhythm all season. In the final minutes, the game didn’t get much better.

The Kings and Timberwolves continued to miss shots in an unimpressive game. At one point in the fourth, the Kings fans were so uninterested in the game they started doing the wave. The game would be tied 90-90 with 27.4 on the clock and Timberwolves ball. That possession would end with no points and a rebound. The game would go to overtime.

In overtime, both teams would trade shots. The game would be decided with 5.6 left in the game and Kings ball tied 97-97. That possession would end with a missed shot that went out of bounds with .5 remaining in the game. The Timberwolves had one last shot in overtime to go home with the win. They weren’t able to inbound as time expired and it was double overtime in Sacramento.

In double overtime, the Timberwolves went on a 6-0 run before Luke Walton called a timeout with 3:33 remaining in the game. From there, the Kings made it a game at the end. It was 104-105 and the Kings had the final possession with just over 10 seconds left. Buddy Hield dribbled on the perimeter and ultimately missed the final shot as the Kings lose 105-104. It was a rough game and the Kings were unable to pull it out. Richaun Holmes finished as the Kings leading scorer with 20 points. Gorgul Dieng led the Timberwolves with 21.

Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the Pheonix Suns at 6 PM PST on Saturday. The Timberwolves go home to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday at 5 PM PST.

NFC West Championship Preview: Niners-Seahawks go for the gold at Century Link Sunday

nbcsports.com file photo: The Seattle Seahawks Jadeveon Clowney (90) leaps to block San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) pass on Nov 11th at Levis Stadium. Jadeveon will be in the lineup on Sunday after suffering a core muscle injury.

By Joe Lami

SANTA CLARA–The biggest game of the year is here for the San Francisco 49ers and quite possibly since the Niners last made the playoffs in 2013 when they play the Seattle Seahawks. Sunday’s NFC West Championship game will also decide whether or not the Niners take the one seed and make the Super Bowl go through Levi’s Stadium.

Both the Niners and Seahawks are 2-2 in the last month. When they both appeared like unstoppable forces, they lost their mojo and have slumped. The Niners may have regained it last week when they came from two touchdowns behind to kicking a game-winning buzzer-beater.

While the Niners were celebrating their victory, they reclaimed the top-seed heading into the final weekend of the regular season. All thanks to Seattle’s 27-13 loss to Arizona. After racing out to a 7-0 lead, Seattle’s offense fell flat on their face after Chris Carson went down with a hip injury.

The Seahawks are decimated at running back and might prove to be their kryptonite. Carson went down just weeks after Rashaad Penny went down with a season-ending knee injury. They also lost third-stringer C.J. Prosise. With all of the injuries, they’ll see if Marshawn Lynch will be their superman, signing him to an emergency contract.

Lynch was suited up for the Oakland Raiders in 2018, playing in only six games but rushing for 376 yards and averaging 4.2 yards per carry. Without playing a single snap this season, who knows what Beastmode can bring to Seattle. But early reports could be positive.

“He looks great,” Wilson said. “He looks explosive. He looks fast. He looks strong. Quick as ever. He always has this infamous one-leg cut that he can do where he hops on one foot twice. He’s got some special things that he can do. He runs the ball hard, obviously.”

Regardless how fast or explosive Lynch looks, they’re likely bringing him back for extra pass protection for Wilson. He knows the offense and the terminology of Pete Carroll. It’s a natural fit for an emergency. The Seahawks will likely roll out Wilson after the Niners continue to look susceptible to quarterback speed outside the tackles.

Sunday’s game will also be a rematch of week 10’s Monday Night thriller. Russell Wilson threw for 232 yards and gashed the Niners for 53 yards in the overtime victory. When push came to shove, the MVP nominee showed up, and the Niners couldn’t stop him.

San Francisco’s defense continues to be one of the best defenses in the league, but they’ve have struggled of late. Over the last month, the Niners have only sacked the quarterback twice. The lack of a pass rush has allowed teams to torch the Niners. After not allowing 30 points all season, San Francisco has allowed 49, 29, and 31 points the last three games.

Teams have also discovered San Francisco’s hole in their rush defense. Allowing 111.8 per game, the Niners rank 17th in rush defense, their worst defensive stat.

After the hottest month of his career, Jimmy Garoppolo has cooled off the last two games, throwing 448 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.

The Niners may be slowing down at the worst stretch of the season and when it matters most. Sunday’s game will determine how their post-season road will look. If they win, they’ll earn a first-round bye, home field advantage, and an extra week to get healthy. If they lose, they’ll face a hellish path through the NFC if they wish for a Super Bowl.

Oakland Raiders preview: With viable chance at the playoffs, the Raiders must win regular season-finale in Denver

UPI file photo: Oakland Raiders Josh Jacobs (28) carries against the Denver Broncos in the Oakland Coliseum Sep 9th during the Raiders home opener. It was the time the two teams met. 

By Joe Hawkes
SRS Contributor

OAKLAND — After opening up the 2019 regular season series against each other on Monday Night Football in Week 1 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, the Raiders and Broncos close out their regular season season in Week 17 at Empower Field at Mile High. In the first matchup, the Raiders defeated the Broncos, 24-16, giving Oakland its second-straight win over Denver. Oakland is looking for its first victory in Denver since 2015, and leads the all-time series 64-52-2.

Sunday’s AFC West divisional matchup will kickoff at 1:25 p.m. PT on CBS with Andrew Catalon and James Lofton with the call.

In Week 16, the Raiders kept their playoff chances alive after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers, 24-17 to improve to 7-8 on the year and 3-2 in the AFC West. Quarterback Derek Carr played tremendous, completing 26-of-30 attempts for 291 yards while throwing for a touchdown and rushing for another. Carr’s touchdown throw, which went for 56 yards on the Raiders’ opening possession, was hauled in by rookie wide receiver Hunter Renfrow who returned to the field after missing the last three games with a rib injury.

Renfrow recorded his first career 100-yard game, reeled in a career- and team-high seven catches (five of which were on third down) against the Chargers.

Defensively, linebacker Will Compton register 12 tackles (10 solo) and rookie defensive end Clelin Ferrell recorded a sack giving him 4.5 for the season. Oakland has a league-best 13 sacks by rookies in 2019.

The Broncos are coming off a 27-17 victory at home against the visiting Detroit Lions to improve to 6-9 on the year. Denver has won three of their last four games since inserting rookie quarterback Drew Lock under center.

Lock completed 25-of-33 for 192 yards and one touchdown, while running back Phillip Lindsay rushed for 109 yards on 19 attempts. Lindsay’s 27-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter sealed the game for Denver, who were leading 20-17 at the time.

For Oakland to make the postseason, not only would they need to defeat the Broncos but they would need wins by Cleveland (over Cincinnati), Baltimore (over Pittsburgh), Houston (over Tennessee), and Indianapolis (over Jacksonville).

With homefield and the AFC’s No. 1 seed locked up, Baltimore has already said it’s going to sit a bunch of starters which includes MVP front-runner in quarterback Lamar Jackson against the Steelers, while Houston has won the AFC South and could improve its playoff positioning. Houston is currently the fourth seed.

The Raiders need to take care of their own business against the Broncos instead of scoreboard watching in Week 17.

 

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Terry has been a force in Cardinals’ success as Kansas comes calling Sunday

gostanford.com photo: The Cardinal bench erupts in celebration as they defeated San Diego last Sat Dec 21st at Chase Center at the Al Attles Classic

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

#1 Jerry talk about the job that guard Tyrell Terry, Terry led the Cardinal (11-1) in scoring against San Diego (6-8) last Saturday at Chase Center in the Cardinal’s win 62-59.

#2 Terry’s numbers were impressive and he’s been the go to guy to throw the ball down he amassed 20 points, seven assists, and three assists.

#3 Second in scoring for the Cardinal was Oscar da Silva with 19 points scored, 11 rebounds, and one assist. da Silva very consistent and reliable in helping Stanford get those critical points.

#4 The Cardinal held their own getting a three point win over San Diego 62-59, for San Diego a team that is two games under .500 playing a team that is 10 games over .500 they didn’t cave a bit either.

#5 Kansas Jayhawks (9-2) come in next Saturday Dec 29th and although the Cardinal have lost only one game out of their last 12 games the Jayhawks are no slouches.

Jerry Feitelberg does the Stanford Cardinal podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Michael Duca: Bears have lost four of last five look to get in win column Sat vs. Harvard

calbears.com photo: The Cal Bears Kareem South (10) takes a fade away shot against the Boston College Eagles defender Julian Rishwain (2)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Michael:

#1 The game was close but the Bears just couldn’t pull the trigger losing to Boston College Eagles by four 64-60 at Chase Center in the City last Sat Dec 21

#2 The Bears came away with a first half lead but it was that second half that the Eagles came away with a 38-31 second half enough to do the trick for the win.

#3 Talk about the job that the Cal Bears Matt Bradley has been doing for the club leading consistently in scoring last Saturday with 21 against Boston College

#4 Cal head coach Mark Fox also has been looking also been putting his confidence in scorers Kareem South and Lar Thiermann.

#5 The Bears next up face the Harvard Crimson (8-4) at Haas Pavilion on Sat Dec 29th. The Bears who are looking to get back into the win column after losing four of their last five games.

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

 

Warriors find good tidings under their tree shock Rockets 116-104

espn.com photo: The Golden State Warriors Damon Lee (1) goes airborne to take a shot against the Houston Rockets Clint Capela (15) at Chase Center in San Francisco on Wed Dec 25th

By Jerry Feitelberg

San Francisco- The Warriors met and defeated the Houston Rockets on Christmas Day by a score of 116-104. The game was on national television, and if the network executives had their way, they would have pulled it from the schedule.

The Warriors, who have been scuffling all season, won their third game in a row. On December 15th, the W’s were blown out by the Sacramento Kings. The W’s head coach Steve Kerr must have said something to the team as they have played well in their last four games. They gave Portland a tussle but lost.

They then beat New Orleans, Minnesota, and, now, the Rockets. It was a team effort. They played well on both ends of the court. They held the Rockets’ scoring machine, James Harden, to 24 points. They did not foul Harden either. Harden, the master of drawing fouls, had just one free throw, and he missed it.

The Warriors got off to a good start in the first quarter. They had an early 13-7 lead. The Rockets went ahead 16-15 about midway through the quarter. The Warriors were able to keep pace with the Rockets and finished the first period trailing by a point 29-28.

The Rockets appeared to have found their rhythm in the second quarter. Harden made 5 threes in seven tries to finish the first half with 19  points. Russell Westbrook added 18, and the Rockets led 68-64. The W’s Damion Lee led the W’s scoring with 17. D’Angelo Russell had 14, and Glenn Robinson added 10.

Willie Cauley-Stein scored the first bucket of the third quarter to cut the Warrior deficit to 68-66. The Rockets increased the lead to seven 75-68. The Warriors, behind Draymond Green and Damion Lee, tied the game at 78. The Rockets connected on a three to regain the lead. With the score 83-80, the Warriors went on a 12-4 run to finish the third quarter leading 92-87

The Warriors entered the fourth quarter, knowing they had to stop Harden And Westbrook. Harden loves to drive and pick up fouls. The W’s had not fouled him in the first three-quarters of play. Harden hit a three to put Houston back in the lead 97-96.

Harden was fouled on the play, and he missed the free throw. The W’s would not foul him again. The Warriors then went on a 17-2 run. Draymond Green and Glenn Robinson each made two 3-point shots. The Warriors defense stopped the Rockets attack cold. The W’s increased the lead to 115-99. The Rockets ran out of time, and the Warriors, with the fans on their feet, won the game.

Game Notes and Stats- With the win, The W’s improved to 8-24. The Rockets, leading the Southwest Division of the Western Conference, fell to 21-10.

The Warriors starters all finished in double figures Three players, Russell, Lee, and Green scored 20 or more points. Two players Lee and Green, had a double-double. Damion Lee led the team with 22 points and 15 rebounds, Draymond had 20 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists.

D’Angelo Russell knocked down 20, Willie Cauley-Stein 10, and Glenn Robinson had 18. Robinson made two three-point shots in the fourth quarter to help seal the Rockets’ doom/ Alec Burks, Jacob Evans, and Marquise Chriss, coming off the bench, had 8,8, and 6.

The Rockets were led by Russell Westbrook and James Harden, Each superstar had a double-double. Westbrook’s line was 30n points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists. Harden’s numbers were 24 points, 6 boards, and 11 assists. Harden made six threes in 10 tries. Danue House, Jr. had 18, Clint Capela 10, and P.J.Tucker 7. The Rockets’ bench added 15 points.

The Warriors shot 47% from the floor, and their defense held the Rockets to 37%. The Rockets made 16 three in 51 tries. The Warriors had nine.

The Warriors outrebounded the Rockets 54-49. The W’s defense stole the ball 7 times to go along with 8 blocked shots.

The Warriors resume play Friday night against the Phoenix Suns. The Suns are 11-19 for the year. The Suns blew out the W’s earlier in the season. Steve Kerr’s troops have played well in the last four games, and Kerr will be hoping the team will continue to improve.

The game will be at the Chase Center and will start at 7:30 pm. The W’s then play again on Saturday night against the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs are in second place in the Southwest Division with a record of 19-10. The game will also be at the Chase Center and will start at 5:30 pm PT.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda hope to keep winning face Stockton Friday night at SAP Center

photo from @sjbarracuda: San Jose Barracuda sweaters hang in the San Jose dressing room before Dec 11th’s game commemorating the shooting victims of last year’s Gilroy Garlic Festival. The sweaters will be auctioned off until Mon Dec 30th

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 The San Jose Barracuda picked up a big win over the San Diego Gulls 4-2 in a third period comeback last on Friday

#2 Andrew Shortridge in goal for the Barracuda on Friday stopped 25 of 27 shots allowed two goals in the win.

#3 Joachim Blichfield scored a team leading 11th goal in the win on Friday extending his point streak to five games

#4 Michael Chiasson and Jimmy Bonneau co-coaches picked up their first win on Friday since taking over the helm after former head coach Roy Sommer joined the parent club Sharks on Dec 11th

#5 Marko sets up the Barracuda-Stockton Heat match up this Friday afternoon at SAP Center

Join Marko each Wednesday for the Barracuda podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Sharks to give it another go with back to back nights; Kings and Flyers on Fri & Sat

sfgate.com photo: The San Jose Sharks Erik Karlsson (65) slides towards the Vegas Knights Reilly Smith (19) in a battle for the puck at SAP Center last Saturday Dec 22

#1 The Sharks have now lost nine of their last ten games and play back to back games at SAP Center starting Friday and Saturday nights against the Kings and Flyers it’s been a load for new head coach Bob Boughner.

#2 The Sharks lost last weekend on Friday and Saturday back to back Friday to the Blues 5-2 and Saturday to the Knights 3-1 it was a challenge trying to turn it around.

#3 Talking about the Sharks last loss to Vegas the Sharks had the fewest goals with 19 of any NHL team in December it’s a distinction that the Sharks don’t want.

#4 Sharks captain Logan Couture said the Sharks are finding new ways to lose games before there were the shootouts and overtime but now they’re losing in the last ten minutes of games.

#5 The Los Angeles Kings and Sharks face off at 7:30p Friday night how the Sharks no doubt have a lot of work cut out for them Len sets this one up for us.

Join Len Shapiro each Wednesday for the Sharks podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Sacramento Kings podcast with Charlie O: Kings fall short to Rockets 113-104; Fourth consecutive loss for Sacramento

photo from sacbee.com: Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield (24) shoots over Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook (0) for three-points during a game at Golden 1 Center on Monday, Dec 23, 2019 in Sacramento

On the Kings podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Coming off three straight road loses the Sacramento Kings (12-18) played host to the Houston Rockets (21-9) at Golden One Center in Sacramento and yet lost another game 113-104.

#2 The Rockets had 16 points to the Kings 25 in the fourth quarter and still the Kings never held the lead in the game and never got that burst on the scoreboard. The Kings are missing a number of their offensive plays to stay a step ahead of their opponents.

#3 The Rockets got top scoring from James Harden 34 pts and Russell Westbrook 28 pts who have pave the way to the win

#4 De Aaron Fox and Richaun Holmes led the Kings with scoring Fox with 31 and Holmes 12. Fox carried the weight of the team and the Kings fell nine points short.

#5 After their last win to the Golden State Warriors the Kings have now lost four straight and host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night

Join Charlie Tuesdays for the Kings podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

 

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Person of interest identified in Beathard murder; Lynch has only worked out 8 days with Seahawks

photo from @MNPDNashville: Nashville Police have identified 23 year old Michael Mosely as a person of interest. Police want to question Mosely regarding the double murders which includes San Francisco 49ers quarterback CJ Beathard’s brother Clayton was a murder victim on Saturday night

On the 49ers podcast with David:

#1 The murder of 49ers quarterback CJ Beathard’s brother weighed heavy on the 49ers before their meeting with the Rams at Levis Stadium on Saturday

#2 The murder of Beathard’s brother could have taken the 49ers out of their game but with heavy hearts they played a razor close game against the Los Angeles Rams and really went all out for Beathard

#3 The 49ers are in Seattle this Sunday against the Seahawks each game is vital David talks about who the 49ers will face in the first playoff game and where they’ll play

Join David each Tuesday for the 49ers podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com