Tag: Utah Jazz

Warriors edge Jazz 94-92

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, tries to get the ball to the basket against Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley at the Chase Center on Sun Jan 23, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Edge Jazz 94-92

By Barbara Mason

After winning a buzzer beater courtesy of Stephen Curry Friday night against the Houston Rockets, Golden State (34-13) was back at Chase hosting the Utah Jazz (30-17) on Saturday night. This will be a tough game for the Warriors and they cannot afford the turnovers and the missed open shots that we have seen lately. The Warriors would just get by the Jazz 94-92.

The Jazz will play without Donovan Mitchell tonight out on concussion protocol but will have Rudy Gobert available despite some ankle soreness. Mike Conley is playing probably the best of his career and so the Warriors will have their hands full.

Both of these teams depend heavily on shots from downtown. The Warriors have recently struggled with three point shots and will need to start making those starting tonight against Utah. The Jazz are the highest scoring team in the league and will give Golden State a run for their money.

The first quarter was a high energy start from both teams. The Warriors led at the end of one 33-29. The Warriors were shooting at 54% and the Jazz 53% in this evenly matched game. The Warriors had four from downtown and the Jazz shot five.

Damien Lee had a crazy first half going 4 of 5 from downtown. Early in the second quarter the Warriors had taken a ten point lead 39-29. Damien Lee was a big part of this Golden State lead. The Warriors were moving the ball beautifully keeping the Utah defense off balance. What hurt Golden State were the empty possessions. The Jazz fought back to pull within two points and nothing about this game was going to be easy for either team.

Both teams were playing at a high level and as expected it was raining three’s for both teams. At the half the Warriors led by a single point 55-54. The Warriors shot ten from downtown and the Jazz had seven from beyond the arc. Lee was the Warriors point leader with 12 points and the Jazz’s Bojan Bogdanovic led with 15 points.

The Warriors needed to slow down Bogdanovic in the second half. They were protecting the ball having only four turnovers in the first half. This was a great first half for Golden State but there was still a lot of ball to be played.

It would prove to be a wild second half going right down to the wire. With eight seconds left on the clock the Jazz took a shot trying to tie up this game but the Warrior defense denied Utah. Golden State would win their second game in a row 94-92. The Warriors only scored eleven points in the fourth quarter but managed to come away with the win. The Jazz had a low scoring fourth as well with 17 points but just came up short.

Every starter for Golden State shot double digits, Poole being the high score with 20 points. Bogdanovic was the high for Utah with 21 points. This was a great win for the Warriors. The three’s starting dropping and the turnovers were kept to a minimum. This was exactly what the Warriors needed to win this game and they sure delivered.

Tuesday night the Warriors will take on the Mavericks at Chase. This will be another tough team with a lot of talent and it will be another exciting game. It seems as if Golden State really rises to the occasion when it comes to elite teams. Can the Warriors make it three in a row? We will find out Tuesday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Warriors Reverse Third Quarter Meltdown To Beat Jazz 123-116

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) throws down against the Utah Jazz on Sat Jan 1, 2022 in Salt Lake City (AP News photo)

Warriors Reverse Third Quarter Meltdown To Beat Jazz 123-116

By Barbara Mason

Saturday night the Golden State Warriors (28-7) took on the Utah Jazz (26-10) to start off the New Year. This was the second year in a row that Golden State has played on New Years Day. They came into Utah from Denver where they were unable to play the Nuggets due to the inability of Denver to fill out an eight man roster. Golden State won this game 123-116 in a wild fourth quarter in which both teams played at a high level.

The Nuggets had a multitude of injuries coupled with players on covid protocol. The decision to postpone this game came very late in the day, a real frustration for Golden State.

After all the confusion in Denver the Warriors headed to Utah to take on a very tough Jazz team. The team has faced adversity before this season and would have to dig deep to get past Utah who was slightly favored in this game.

After one quarter Golden State led by the score of 29-24. They had shot 46% and came into this game playing fast and strong. It was a nice start for the Warriors, a team that is a third and fourth quarter team. As we have seen time and time again, every attempt was being made to take Stephen Curry out of the game.

Taking Curry out of any game is easier said than done and the Jazz found this out as the second quarter wore on. He will shoot over you and he will find a way to defeat any attempt to slow him down. The Warriors had a 13 point lead mid-way through the second quarter.

Having Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins back gave Golden State the increased depth that we are used to seeing. The offensive effort that we saw from the Warriors in the first half was the difference in this game so far.

The Jazz cut the 13 point lead to five as the quarter began to wind downs but Andrew Wiggins put a stop to Utah’s bid. He finished the half with 17 points. Otto Porter had an amazing half with 16 points, and with two quarters in the books the Warriors led 64-50.

Whatever was said in the Jazz locker room at the half it resonated because they came out on fire. They outscored the Warriors 41-22 in the third quarter The Jazz are the number one team in the league in third and fourth quarter scoring so Golden State had their work cut out for them in the final quarter.

The Warriors sure rallied in the fourth quarter in a masterful offensive display. Golden State held their ground offensively and defensively in the absence of Draymond Green.

Curry finished the game with 28 points, six from downtown. Wiggins had a great game with 25 points. He had eight points in a row in the final four minutes which reversed the course of this game. Otto Porter had 20 points so a great showing from the Warriors this evening. Jordan Poole and Andre Iguodala both had double digits off the bench. This was as impressive a win as I have seen all season from this team.

The Warriors will now head home for a game against the Heat at Chase. The tipoff Monday night is scheduled for 7:00PM.

Kings lose 7th out of last 8 games; Get blown out by Jazz 123-105 Sat night

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

All too easy for the Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) who scores against Sacramento Kings defense in first quarter action at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Sat Nov 20, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings welcomed in the Utah Jazz (11-5) on Saturday night in Sacramento. For the Kings (6-11), it was the second night of a back-to-back. The first night of the back-to-back saw the Toronto Raptors come to town. The Kings had lost 6-7 entering play on Saturday night and were in desperate need of a spark to rejuvenate the dying season. On Saturday, the Kings were blown out by the score of 123-105. However, before we get into the action on Saturday, let’s take a look at the Kings last game.

Flashback Friday: In the first game of the back-to-back on Friday, the Kings did not play well. They took on the Toronto Raptors, and they were taken to School. The worst it got was at the end of the third quarter when it was 96-66 Raptors, and it looked like all life was gone from the Kings. It was one of their worst losses of the season at home. Kings fans were booing the home team at times throughout the game, and “Fire Luke Walton” chants were heard throughout the arena.

Saturday Night Recap: The Sacramento Kings welcomed the Utah Jazz to Golden One Center on Saturday night. The tip-off was set for 7 PM PST.

In the first quarter, both teams matched each other’s energy. Both teams came out with decent shooting and not a lot of defense. The Kings managed to score 28 points in the first quarter as the Utah Jazz dropped 29. The Kings came out with good energy in the first quarter, but the defense let them down when the offense seemed capable. They would look to tighten up the defense in the second quarter.

In the second quarter, it started rough for the Kings. The Kings ended up going down more than 10 points in the quarter as the Jazz were hitting shots and the Kings weren’t. At 4:25 left in the second quarter, the Kings found themselves down 48-36. However, to the Kings credit, they did not implode. Assisted by Utah turnovers, the Kings managed to stay within striking distance, narrowing the gap to 54-49, entering halftime. The Jazz outscored the Kings in the second quarter, 25-21.

In the third quarter, the Kings came out of the gates strong. By 7:41 left in the third, the Kings had tied the game, and Utah took a timeout with a score of 64-64. But, the questions remained, could the Kings close the quarter? Unfortunately, the answer to that question was no. The Kings didn’t implode, but they only outscored the Jazz 31-30 in the third quarter to take an 84-80 deficit into the fourth quarter. The Kings desperately needed to come back and win the game with a demanding schedule ahead of them.

In the fourth quarter, the Jazz went on a run. The Jazz opened a big lead on the Kings in opening minutes of the fourth quarter and never looked back. The Kings couldn’t keep pace with the powerful show from the Jazz as they were outscored 39-25 in the fourth quarter. The Kings would drop their seventh game in eight tries by the 123-105 and fall to 6-11 on the season. Leading the way in defeat for the Kings was Richaun Holmes who scored 22 points. The Jazz were led in victory by Donovan Mitchell who scored 26 points.

The Kings would need to do some real soul searching in the coming days and the uncertainty of Luke Walton’s job has never been more perilous. Again, for the second straight night, “Fire Luke Walton” chants could be heard towards the end of the blowout loss.

Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday at 7 PM PST.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings hoping to bounce back after losing 5 out of last 6; host Toronto tonight

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox, right, tries force a loose ball from Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Wed Nov 17, 2021 (AP News photo)

On the Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Sacramento Kings (6-9) have lost five of their last six games and have fallen three games below .500. They lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves (5-9) 107-97 what has put the Kings off the track?

#2 The Kings De’Aaron Fox has stayed consistent leading the Kings in scoring Wednesday night with 28 points.

#3 The Kings defense had a hard time trying to defend the Timberwolves Anthony Williams who opened up in the fourth quarter scoring 16 of his 26 points in the final quarter to help Minnesota to a win.

4. The Kings Buddy Hield who scored 16 points off the bench and the Kings got 20 rebounds their most for the year but took a loss to the Timberwolves.

#5 The Toronto Raptors (7-8) have lost five of the last six games before facing the Utah Jazz on Thursday night. The Raptors who played in Portland on Monday night to a 118-113 loss to the Trailblazers (7-8) a five point loss. The Raptors tip off against the Kings tonight at Golden One set the stage for this one.

Jeremiah does the Kings podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Jazz pull away from Kings late in fourth quarter for 110-101 win

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Utah Jazz Donovan Mitchell (front) tries to out run and out gun Sacramento Kings Davion Mitchell (15) in first half action at the Golden One Center in Sacramento on Fri Oct 22, 2021 (AP News photo)

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings (1-1) on Wednesday night opened up the season on the road in Portland with a win. The Kings were excited to return home on Friday night to a packed Golden One Center crowd that hadn’t been allowed in the since March of 2020. The Kings opened the season on Wednesday pulling out a narrow victory 124-121 in the unfriendly confines in Portland.

The Kings were set to face the Utah Jazz (2-0) on Friday. Utah came into Friday’s matchup having played on Wednesday in Utah. They handily beat the OKC Thunder 107-86. The Kings took a tough loss on Friday night 110-101 for their first loss of the season.

First Half: The Kings played an up and down half.

The intensity in the first quarter was palpable as the Kings began putting on an offensive show for the home crowd. In the first quarter, the Kings outscored the Jazz 26-24 as Harrison Barnes led the way for the Kings in the first quarter as he scored 8 points.

It should be noted that the Jazz Joe Ingles was ejected after a flagrant two foul was assessed him on a foul against Davion Mitchell. The foul took the legs out from under Mitchell and so the penalty was handed down. The Kings would look to keep the defensive intensity up in the second quarter to keep the lead at halftime.

In the second quarter, the Kings offense stalled a bit. Thankfully for the Kings, the Jazz weren’t able to do much on the offensive end either. The Jazz only scored 22 points in the quarter as the Kings defense kept the pressure on the shooters of the Jazz.

On the other hand, the Kings managed to score 26 points to pull even further ahead of the Jazz heading into halftime. The Kings would take a 52-46 into halftime looking to seal things off in the second half. Leading the way for the Kings in the first half was Harrison Barnes who scored 12 points. Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz as he also scored 12 points.

Second Half: The Kings would come out with good energy in the second half.

In the third quarter, the Kings entered the quarter with good offensive and defensive intensity. However, as the quarter progressed the Kings would lose grip on the lead. The Jazz went on a run to end the quarter and managed to score 35 points compared to the Kings 28 points.

The Kings missed some rotations on defense and as a whole, the Jazz shot the ball much better. The Jazz took an 81-80 lead into the final quarter. The Kings would need to tighten up the defensive end and start hitting more shots to win the game.

In the fourth quarter, the teams traded baskets for the majority of the quarter. The Jazz went on a bit of a run to start followed by the Kings coming back and tying the game with 4:57 left in the game. The sequence was punctuated by a Tyrese Haliburton steal and dunk.

For the remainder of the game, the Jazz took over the momentum. The Jazz ended up scoring 29 points compared to the Kings 21. A careless turnover with under two minutes left desperately cost the Kings as it shifted the momentum fully to the Jazz who took advantage.

It was a strong effort from the Kings but ultimately the shooting of the Jazz down the stretch did the Kings in. Leading the way for the Kings in defeat was Harrison Barnes who scored 25 points closely followed by Buddy Hield who scored 24. The Jazz were treated to a 27 point game from Donovan Mitchell to lead the way in victory.

Up Next: The Kings will take on the Golden State Warriors on Sunday at 6 PM PST in Sacramento.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings home opener tonight at Golden One against Utah Jazz

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

De’Aaron Fox (5) the Sacramento Kings guard drives past the Portland Trail Blazers Damian Lillard (0) on Wed Oct 20, 2021 at Moda Center in Portland (AP News photo)

On the Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah, what else can you say about the Sacramento Kings they’re looking good they went 5-0 in pre season and won their opening night game on the road in Portland on Wednesday night 124-121.

#2 Four players finished in double figures top scorer Harrison Barnes topped the leaderboard with 36 points and was instrumental in the Kings offense.

#3 The Kings De’Aaron Fox 27 points and Richaun Holmes 21 points finished in second and third how important will they be for the Kings this season.

#4 It looks like head coach Luke Walton has this team prepared whether it was pre season or the regular season it’s early but the Kings are showing a lot of confidence.

#5 The Kings host the Utah Jazz tonight for the home opener at Golden One Center. The Jazz won their last game rather convincingly 107-86 Wednesday night in Utah. The Jazz top scorer you might remember Bojan Bogdanovic the former King who finished on top with 22 points. How do you see this match up tonight between the Jazz and Kings?

Jeremiah Salmonson does the Sacramento Kings podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Utah Jazz Crush the Kings In Season Finale 121-99

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) throws down on the Sacramento Kings at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Sun May 16, 2021 (AP News photo)

Utah Jazz Crush the Kings In Season Finale 121-99

By Barbara Mason

Sunday evening the Sacramento Kings took on the first place Utah Jazz. It has been a very long season for the team and now they find themselves playing in their last game of the 2020-21. They will be playing for pride and the chance to knock the Jazz out of top seed position.

Sacramento will take the court in this final game of the season without De’Aaron Fox, Harrison Barnes and Tyrese Haliburton. Taking on the Jazz without these guys was a huge challenge.

The Kings played a good first quarter and led at the end of it 28-25. The Jazz were just getting warmed up and at the half led 64-49. Utah was just getting warmed up.

By the end of the third quarter the Jazz had complete control of this game leading 97-73 Utah was cruising and it was easy to see why this team is the number one seed in the Western Conference.

The Jazz finished off the Kings in the fourth quarter sailing to a 121-99 win. The Jazz will head off into the playoffs and the Kings will focus on where the team is headed next season.

Damian Jones had the high score for the Kings finishing with 19 points. Buddy Hield had 13. Terence Davis had 20 points off the bench playing 32 minutes.

The season may be over for the Sacramento Kings but the future of so many of their players remains bright. I really see an improved Kings in the 2021-2022 season. I predict more than 31 wins, a whole lot more, as well as a breakthrough into next year’s playoffs.

Barbara Mason, Jeremiah Salmonson, Charlie O, Ana Kieu, Marko Ukalovic, and Tony Renteria covered, podcasted, or analyzed the Sacramento Kings for the 2021 season for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors hang on down Jazz 119-116; Curry gives it his all again scores 36

Published on by rxsluggerLeave a comment

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) takes the ball down court against the Utah Jazz on Mon May 10, 2021 at the Chase Center in San Francisco (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors (36-33) met the Utah Jazz (50-19) Monday night at the Chase Center. The Jazz, winners of five straight games, had their sights on avenging the 131-119 loss to the Warriors on March 14th. The Jazz entered the game with the best record in the Western Conference, 50-18.

The Warriors were fighting to remain in eighth place in the Western Conference. It felt as if it were the first game of the playoffs: the Jazz, the only team in the NBA in the top five offensively and defensively. The Jazz entered the game averaging 17 threes a night.

They had the best record, defending the opposing team’s three-point efforts. Both teams were missing key places. Utah’s point guard, Michael Conley, was out with a hamstring injury. The other guard, Donovan Mitchell, was not able to play due to an ankle injury.

The Warriors were missing Daminon Lee due to Covid-19. Kelly Oubre, Jr was out with a torn ligament in his wrist, and Eric Paschall, slated to return on May 11th, sat out with a hip problem. With the two Utah guards out, the Warriors knew the Jazz would commit turnovers.

Could the Warriors capitalize on their miscues? The answer was yes. The Warriors defense forced 15 Utah turnover that translated into 26 points for the Warriors. The Warriors knew that they had to find a way to stop Utah in the fourth quarter. The Jazz averaged 31 points in the last period. Utah put pressure on the Warriors defense as they poured in 41 points in the last 12 minutes. Stephen Curry answered with a three to lead the Warriors to a hard-fought 119-116 win.

Utah’s head coach Quin Snyder assigned Royce O’Neale to guard Curry for most of the first half. O’Neale threw a blanket over Curry as he attempted his three-point shots. Curry started the game with a three. He did not make another three in the first half.

The first half was very close. Neither team would give an inch. The Warriors finished the first period leading 31-30. The second period was a defensive struggle. The Warriors won the quarter by four points to finish the first half with a five-point advantage 54-49. Curry led the Warriors with 15 points. Draymond Green had ten. Andrew Wiggins helped out with eight. Jordan Poole and Kent Bazemore each had seven. The Jazz leading scorers were Bojan Bogdanovic with 15, and Jordan Clarkson, coming off the bench, had 12.

The Warriors won the third quarter 35-26 to finish the third period leading by 14 points, 89-75. Curry had his magic working as he poured in 14 points in the period. Kent Bazemore helped out with ten. Jordan Poole made the shot of the night as he made a 55-foot three-point shot as the buzzer sounded to end the third period. The Warriors didn’t know it at the time, but that three-pointer turned out to be huge.

With the second unit on the floor, the Warriors increased the lead to 17, 94-77. The Jazz kept chipping away at the lead. The Warriors could not stop Utah’s, Jordan Clarkson. Clarkson, a candidate for sixth-man of the year, kept making baskets. He couldn’t make a three in the first half. He made several in the fourth quarter. The Jazz closed to within seven, 122-105, with three minutes left to play.

Their defense continued to stop the Warriors offense. Utah tied the game 112-112. The Jazz went ahead briefly 113-112. Bazemore made a basket to make it 114-113. Clarkson hit a three, and the Jazz led 116-114 with 29 seconds left to play. Curry answered with a three to give the Warriors the advantage 117-116 with 13.4 seconds left. The Warriors had to find a way to stop the Jazz.

They did. Utah did not score on their possession after Curry’s bucket. The Jazz fouled Curry, and he made the two free throws to give the Warriors a three-point lead 119-116 with five seconds left. The Warriors had to stop Utah from tying the game with a three-pointer. They focused on Bogdanovic as the player to defend. The Warriors forced a turnover to win the game 119-116.

Game Notes and Stats-With the win, the Warriors improve to 36-33. They are in eighth place in the Western Conference. Utah is now 50-19 for the year.

Curry’s line was 36 points, four rebounds, and six assists. Curry was 11-for-25 from the floor, and he was three-for-13 from downtown. It was the 37th game that Curry had 30 or more points. The Warriors had four other players in double figures. Jordan Poole added 20 points in 18 minutes of playing time.

Bazemore had 19, Wiggins 14, and Green had 12. Green had a double-double with ten assists, too. Kevon Looney finished the night with 13 rebounds. The third game in a row for Looney with double-digit rebounds, the first time in his career. The team shot 47% from the floor. They made 14 threes in 42 tries.

Jordan Clarkson had a big night with 41 points for Utah. He was 16-for-33 from the floor and connected on five threes. Bogdanovic had 26 points and four threes. The Warriors defense held Rudy Gobert to 10 points. Royce O’Neale was the only other Jazz player in double figures with 10.

The Warriors meet the Phoenix Suns Tuesday night at the Chase Center. The game will start at 7 pm.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings face Lakers in the Southland tonight; LeBron close to returning maybe tonight

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Los Angeles Lakers Anthony Davis has been carrying the load since LeBron James injury. Dennis Schroeder says LeBron should be back sometime in May. The Sacramento Kings tip off against the Lakers tonight at 7:30pm at Staples Center in Los Angeles (AP News photo)

On the Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah the Sacramento Kings (25-37) certainly would like to shake off the stain of their loss to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night at Golden One Center in Sacramento in a 49 point loss.

#2 Former Sacramento King Bojan Bogdanovic led the Jazz scorers with 24 points and was followed up by Jordan Clarkson with 23 two players that the Kings had a hard time defending.

#3 The Kings had to rely on scoring from Richaun Holmes and Buddy Hield each who scored 18 points but they really missed De’Aaron Fox out of the lineup.

#4 The Lakers Dennis Schroeder said that LeBron is close to returning sometime in May. In the meantime the Lakers depend on players like Schroeder as they have lost six of their last ten games. Do you see the Kings having a chance to win this one tonight in LA against a team that’s playing without LeBron?

#5 For Sacramento Kings head coach Luke Walton it’s a sink or swim situation according to insiders that cover the Kings. After carrying a nine game losing streak winning two out of three and the getting trounced by the Jazz it’s a tough situation for Walton’s future.

Join Jeremiah for the Kings podcasts each Friday morning at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria: Kings were no match for Utah

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Sacramento Kings had one positive thing going for them on Wednesday when the signed Chemizie Metu to a multi year contract before they met the Utah Jazz on Wed Apr 28, 2021 at Golden One Center in Sacramento (@SacramentoKings photo)

#1 Tony it wasn’t even close as the Utah Jazz (45-17) came into Golden One Center and took care of business and the Sacramento Kings (25-37) 154-105 on Wednesday night.

#2 The Jazz dominated in each quarter it was all Utah from start to finish.

#3 For the Jazz a big first half of scoring against the Kings 30 points in the first quarter and 46 in the second quarter the Kings defense simply didn’t have an answer for them.

#4 The Jazz defense also kept the Kings top scorers in check with Richaun Holmes and Buddy Hield with just 18 points they certainly missed De’Aaron Fox in the lineup who is out with an injury.

#5 Things don’t get easier as the Kings will travel to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Friday night at Staples Center although the Lakers have lost six of their last ten you can never underestimate them.

Join Tony for the Kings podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com