Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings open up two game series Saturday in Minnesota against Timberwolves

The Sacramento Kings Kevin Huerter gets some hang time on a throw down against the Toronto Raptors at Golden 1 Arena in Sacramento on Wed Jan 25, 2023 (photo by @SacramentoKings)

On the Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The visiting Toronto Raptors used a big night from Pascal Siakam to upend the NBA Pacific-leading Sacramento Kings 113-95 Wednesday at Golden 1 Center.

#2 Siakam scored 26 points and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead the Raptors. Precious Achiuwa was next with 19 points off the bench, Fred VanVleet scored 17 and reserve Chris Boucher had 16 points. O.G. Anunoby added 11 points for Toronto (22-27), which had lost four of their last six games prior to Wednesday.

#3 Kevin Huerter led Sacramento (27-20) with 21 points. Keegan Murray made four 3-poiners and wound up with 16 points, as did De’Aaron Fox, who also had eight assists. Harrison Barnes added 10 points, and Trey Lyles contributed five assists.

#4 After taking a one-point lead in the first quarter, the Raptors outscored Sacramento 60-44 over the second and third quarters. The Kings pulled to within 12 in the fourth quarter before the Raptors pulled away.

#5 The Kings open up a back-to-back series with the Timberwolves in Minnesota, starting with Saturday’s game. The two teams meet again in Minneapolis on Monday.

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

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors try to make it four in row face Dallas Tue night

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) vie for a rebound in the second quarter at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Sun Nov 27, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 If the first quarter was any indication, Golden State (11-10) is back in championship form. They were nothing short of amazing. They led after the first 12 minutes by 20 points 47-27 shooting at 72%. 

#2 Minnesota made a bit of a move to start the second quarter. The Timberwolves (10-10) cut their deficit from 20 to 13 which prompted a Warrior time-out with 11:17 left in the half. 

#3 The Warriors pulled it all together as Jordan Poole went into attack mode and extended their lead back out to 57-38. Minnesota was struggling from beyond the arc and the Warriors wanted to go into halftime with the momentum they started the game with.

#4  Stephen Curry had the high with 25 points closely followed by Poole with 24. Klay Thompson had 21 points with critical three’s from Thompson and Curry to finish off Minnesota 137-114.

#5 The Warriors tip off against the Dallas Mavericks (9-10) Tuesday night in Dallas. The Warriors always have battled the Mavericks in Dallas how do you see this one on Tuesday night.

Join Barbara for the Warrior podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Huge First Quarter Gives Warriors Road Win Over Timberwolves 137-114; Third straight win for Golden State

The Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) throws down on the Minnesota Timberwolves Rudy Gobert (27) at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Sun Nov 27, 2022 (AP News photo)

Huge First Quarter Gives Warriors Road Win Over Timberwolves 137-114

By Barbara Mason

Sunday afternoon the Golden State Warriors (11-10) took on the Minnesota Timberwolves (10-10) at Target Center. The Warriors have only won one game on the road and of late have been playing some outstanding basketball. They have, of course, been excellent at Chase Center and Sunday’s game will have a lot to say in regards to how this team is playing whether it be on the road or at home. This time on the road where they had a big first quarter to defeat the Timberwolves 137-114.

If the first quarter was any indication, Golden State is back in championship form. They were nothing shot of amazing. They led after the first twelve minutes by twenty points 47-27 shooting at 72%. It could not have been a better start for the Warriors and they would have to keep up the furious pace. through three more quarters.

Minnesota made a bit of a move to start the second quarter. The Timberwolves cut their deficit from 20 to 13 which prompted a Warrior time-out with 11:17 left in the half. Golden State needed to keep their foot on the pedal against a very good Minnesota team.

The Warriors pulled it all together as Jordan Poole went into attack mode and extended their lead back out to 57-38. Minnesota was struggling from beyond the arc and the Warriors wanted to go into halftime with the momentum they started the game with. Golden State has started games hot in the first quarter and not in the second and this is something they want to put in the rearview. Golden State had a 76-56 halftime lead.

The Warriors hung onto the lead through the third quarter. They won the first quarter but came away even in the second and third quarters. Going into the fourth quarter Golden State had a 109-89 lead.

The Timberwolves made things a bit tight trailing by ten points with 5:29 left in the game. Golden State pulled it together courtesy of stars, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Poole with a little icing on the cake thanks to a triple from Donte DiVincenzo.

There were six Warriors in double digits this afternoon. They shot 57% from the field and had 20 from downtown. Draymond Green had his first double double of the season. Curry had the high with 25 points closely followed by Poole with 24. Thompson had 21 points with critical three’s from Thompson and Curry to finish off Minnesota.

Anthony Edwards had the high for the Timberwolves with 26 points but they couldn’t keep pace with the Warriors. When push came to shove they fell short.

The Warriors continue this brief road trip taking on the Dallas Mavericks Tuesday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 PM.

Warriors Handle Utah 129-117

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) drives past Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, right, during the first half at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Fri Nov 25, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Handle Utah 129-117

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the Golden State Warriors (10-10) defeated the Utah Jazz (12-9) 129-117 at Chase Center. The Warriors are coming off a 124-107 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. The Jazz last game was a loss at the hands of the Detroit Piston 125-116.

The Warriors had a great start winning the first quarter 37-23 really taking it to the Jazz. Golden State had a 59-51 lead at the half. It had been a slow start for Klay Thompson and the team would need him in the second half.

The Warriors built on that halftime lead winning the third quarter 38-35 and leading after three 97-86. Thompson had to get involved in this game and he sure did in the third quarter. He got going with 2:39 left and it was lights out for Thompson sinking shot after shot from downtown.

We saw a furious pace explode from both teams in the fourth quarter. The Warriors continued to hold a ten plus lead throughout the quarter. The Jazz were unable to cut the deficit. Both Stephen Curry and Thompson were shooting at 50% from downtown extending the Warriors lead 100-116 with 6:44 left in the game. Golden State had defended the three well in this game holding the Jazz to 27%.

With under five minutes left the Warriors had their biggest lead of the game 121-102. The Jazz made a bit of a run, a 9-0 run but it was to no avail. Every time the Jazz got going, the Warriors would answer and most of the time it was via a shot from downtown.

The Warriors have now won two games in a row, not surprising since they were at Chase. Golden State has looked like world champions in their last two games. Every starter in tonight’s game finished with double digits. Curry had 33 points, Andrew Wiggins with 20 and Thompson with 20. Jordan Poole was again terrific with 19 points off the bench.

The Warriors will next go on the road taking on the Minnesota Timberwolves Sunday afternoon. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:30 PM.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Warriors drop two consecutive games; Go to Dallas on Thursday night

The Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) knows things are a little off kilter as the Minnesota Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverly (right) is enjoying the moment at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Tue Mar 1, 2022 (AP News photo)

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 Dave, Karl-Anthony Towns really took the bull by the horns and help lead the Minnesota Timberwolves (34-29) to a 129-114 victory over the Golden State Warriors (43-19) with a leading 39 points on Tuesday night at the Target Center.

#2 The Wolves were able to slow the Warriors Stephen Curry’s outside shot keeping Curry to a minimum going 5-16 on the three point attempts. Curry finished with 34 total points.

#3 The Warriors who have now lost two straight games and losing four of their last five games face the Dallas Mavericks (37-25). The Mavs are coming off two straight wins after defeating the Warriors Sunday and the Lakers Tuesday night. How do you see the Mavericks and Warriors in Dallas on Thursday night?

Join David Zizmor for the Warriors podcasts on Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors Drop Second In a Row to Timberwolves 129-114

Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) collides with Golden State Warriors center Kevon Looney as Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins, left, watches at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Tue Mar 1, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Drop Second In a Row to Timberwolves 129-114

By Barbara Mason

Tuesday night the Golden State Warriors (43-19) took on the Minnesota Timberwolves (34-29) at Target Center. After Sunday’s game against the Mavericks, what we will see from the Warriors is the question of the day.

Will we see the mental mistakes that we saw Sunday? Will we see another meltdown? Will they start making those open shots? A lot of questions that will be answered tonight.

The team will still be missing Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala. The Timberwolves Anthony Edwards will not be starting tonight.

The Timberwolves led for most of the first half. After one quarter they led 34-27. The Warriors continued to hang around until the final minutes of the second quarter when Minnesota took their largest lead of the game 68-56.

More turnovers for Golden State and again missing those open shots was hurting the Warriors. The Timberwolves Karl-Anthony Towns had the high score for Minnesota with 20 points and D’Angelo Russell had 15 at the half. The Warriors were being tested defensively in this game. Kevon Looney had seven rebounds but also had three personal fouls at halftime.

The Warriors needed to slow down Towns in the second half and start hitting those open shots if they wanted to rebound and win this game.

In the third quarter the Warriors started hitting those open shots. After trailing by 12 the Warriors had cut the deficit to four points. Five Warriors were in foul trouble, Andrew Wiggins and Gary Payton with four so another obstacle that Golden State had to deal with.

Every time the Warriors would get close, the Timberwolves would come back and extend their lead. The Warriors had worked so hard to pull to within four only to watch Minnesota extend their lead back out to 12 points.

The biggest problem in this game was for every point that Minnesota gave up, the Timberwolves would make up offensively. The Warriors were unable to slow Towns or Russell. In the fourth quarter the Timberwolves had their biggest lead of the game at 18 with six minutes left in the game.

When you miss 17 open shots it makes it difficult to come away with a win. The Warriors were looking at their second loss in a row since the All-Star game. Golden State trailed by 20 plus for most of the final four minutes of the game. The final was 129-114.

Towns finished the game with 39 points and Stephen Curry had 34 for Golden State. The Timberwolves were just too much for the Warriors tonight. Golden State got beat offensively and defensively. This could possibly be a playoff match-up as we head into the playoffs. The Warriors are in a real rut that they have to shake off going into their next game.

The Warrior have dropped six of their last eight games as they head into Dallas Thursday night to take on the Mavericks. Tipoff is schedule for 5:30 pm PST.

Kings win third in five games defeat Timberwolves 132-119

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Anthony Edwards (1) shoots over Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes (40) at the Golden One Center in Sacramento on Wed Feb 9, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Wednesday night at Golden One Center. The Kings were fresh off their biggest acquisition since they landed Harrison Barnes in free agency.

On Monday, The Sacramento Kings (21-26) traded away Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, and Triston Thompson to the Indiana Pacers in a deal headlined by Domantas Sabonis coming to Sacramento Kings (29-26). It was bitter sweet for the Kings who were excited to get a game changer like Sabonis who is also a two time all star.

On the other hand, the Kings will miss young up and coming Tyrese as well as Sacramento main stay Buddy Hield. Only time will tell how the trade works out. In the Kings last game they lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Sacramento 134-114.

On Wednesday the Kings would look to flip the script and beat the Timberwolves in the second night of a back to back. The Kings on Wednesday beat the Timberwolves by the final of 132-119.

In the first quarter, the Kings came out looking flat. The Kings offense appeared a bit scattered. The new additions to the Kings lineup didn’t looked a bit disjointed in the first quarter. The Timberwolves outscored the Kings 37-31 in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, it was a different story for the Kings. The Kings had a fire lit under theme after the first quarter.

The Kings exploded in the second quarter on the offensive end. The Kings scored an impressive 42 points in the second quarter to go from behind to take the lead going into halftime. The Timberwolves offense cooled from their first quarter start and only scored 27 points in the second half.

The Kings took a 71-64 lead into halftime as they looked to get back in the win column. Harrison Barnes led the way for the Kings with 18 points as Anthony Edwards scored 20 for the Timberwolves.

In the third quarter, it was all Minnesota again. The Kings didn’t completely meltdown but they didn’t play any defense. The Timberwolves manage to regain the lead after outscoring the Kings 37-28 in the third quarter.

The Timberwolves couldn’t miss in the quarter as the Kings defense seemed to regress a bit. If the Kings wanted to win the game they would need to tighten up the defensive end of the floor. The Kings entered the final quarter down 101-99.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings sealed their comeback by defeating the Timberwolves by the final of 132-119. The Kings showed great heart on the defensive end as they held the Timberwolves to only 18 points.

It wasn’t a great defensive game for the kings but they managed to put the clamps down when it mattered. Harrison Barnes led the Kings with 30 points in the game.

Newcomer Domantas Sabonis scored 22 points in his debut for the Kings. The Timberwolves were led by Di’Angelo Russell who dropped 29 points. It was a great feel good win for the Kings who are entering a new era of Kings basketball.

Up Next: The Kings head out in the road to take on the Washington Wizards on Saturday at 4 PM PST. The Kings will only play one more game at home for the next nearly four weeks.

Warriors close out game to top Wolves 124-115

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots between Minnesota Timberwolves forward Anthony Edwards (1) and forward Jarred Vanderbilt (8) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Thu Jan 26, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Close Out Game to Top Wolves 124-115

By Barbara Mason

Thursday evening the Warriors (36-13) took on the red-hot Minnesota Timberwolves (24-24) at Chase Center. If the season ended today the Wolves would be the seventh seed and the Warriors the second. The Warriors cooled off the Timberwolves with a 124-115 win.

The first quarter had all the makings of a very competitive game with both teams hitting threes from the get go. Both Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Otto Porter were hitting from outside. The Warriors were seven of 8 from downtown with under three minutes left in the quarter.

Andrew Wiggins joined in the fun going two of two from beyond the arc. While inside shooting was not falling for Golden State, it was raining three’s for the Warriors. Minnesota has forced the most turnovers in the league and Golden State experienced this first hand in this game. After 12 minutes this game was tied at 29.

The second quarter was a wild one. Minnesota was winning from the free throw line but the Warriors were winning from three point range. Minnesota had brought their A game tonight. Ball movement was insane from Golden State in the second quarter, even more so than usual.

The Wolves led at the half 61-57. Minnesota had five fouls but the Warriors had 15 which was troubling. In foul trouble for Golden State was Kevon Looney with four and Porter with three.

Karl-Anthony Towns was on fire for the Timberwolves scoring 23 in the first half and he got the Warriors in foul trouble. Wiggins and Thompson were the only Warriors in double digits. The Warriors would have their work cut out for them in the second half.

They would have to slow Karl Anthony; this would be key in the final quarters of this game. Golden State would need to clog up the paint; this is where Minnesota was hurting the Warriors. Golden State was shooting 48% and the Timberwolves 46% after two quarters.

As the third quarter came to an end the Warriors were really rolling. They contained Anthony clogging up the lane forcing Minnesota to take more three’s that were not falling. Minnesota had 6 from downtown while the Warriors had 16. Golden State stopped fouling taking a 95-81 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Timberwolves cut the Warriors lead in half before Golden State took back control leading by nine points with seven minutes left in the game. This game was going down to the wire with Towns heating back up and giving the Warriors all sorts of trouble.

The splash brothers came to the rescue giving the Warriors a 115-104 lead with four minutes left in the game. Although the Timberwolves made a run in the early fourth quarter Golden State would close out the game 124-115.

Curry was back with a monster game shooting for 29 points. Thompson had another high game since coming back with 23 points. “We know we haven’t been playing our best the past three weeks, but we dug ourselves out of it,” said Curry after the game.

This matchup had all the intensity of a playoff game giving us all a glimpse of what we can expect in the post- season.

Saturday night the Warriors will be playing the Brooklyn Nets at Chase Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Towns carries Timberwolves to finish line to beat Golden State

Minnesota Timberwolves leading scorer center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) takes a shot over Golden State Warriors forward Otto Porter Jr. (32) at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Sun Jan 16, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara, the Minnesota Timberwolves Karl Anthony-Towns was the key difference in the Timberwolves win over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night at the Target Center 119-99 scoring 26 points and getting 11 rebounds.

#2 The Timberwolves Jaylen Nowell (17 pts) and Malik Beasley had (16 pts) both combined for five three pointers in the second half also making a big difference in beating Golden State.

#3 The Warriors allowed the Timberwolves to score 40-19 against them in the closing 16 minutes of the game and the defense simply looked out of place compared to other games where the Warriors had success.

#4 The Warriors who were without Stephen Curry and Draymond Green really depended on Jordan Poole (20 pts) and Jonathan Kuminga (19 pts) the Warriors dropped their fifth game out seven on Sunday.

#5 The Warriors trail the Phoenix Suns by 2 1/2 games in the Western Conference, Klay Thompson had 13 points on Sunday how much will the Warriors be leaning on Thompson on night when Curry and Green are out of the line up like they were Sunday?

Join Barbara Mason for the Warrior podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Weary Warriors Lose to Minnesota 119-99; Golden State has now lost five of last seven

Talk of the Towns, the Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) is thrilled after scoring against the Golden State Warriors at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Sun Jan 16, 2022 (AP News photo)

Weary Warriors Lose to Minnesota 119-99

By Barbara Mason

After crushing the Eastern Conference leading Chicago Bulls Friday night, the Golden State Warriors (31-12) played their last road game of this current series against the Minnesota Timberwolves (21-22) Sunday night. The Timberwolves froze out Golden State on Sunday night at the Target Center 119-99

The team will continue to play without Draymond Green who is expected to miss the entire month of January, a major loss for Golden State. The Warriors will also be missing Stephen Curry and Gary Payton in this game.

Curry suffered a hand injury in the game against the Bulls and Payton is dealing with back tightness. Three invaluable players not taking the floor will be a challenge for Golden State. The good new for the Warriors is the depth that they have on their roster. Klay Thompson will more than likely see more minutes in the absence of Curry and Payton.

After the first quarter, the Timberwolves led by the score of 30-22. The Timberwolves had scored twenty points in the paints while the Warriors were relying heavily on shots from downtown which were not dropping.

The Warriors needed to start hitting more mid-range points in the second quarter. Golden State was able to hold D’Angelo Russel to three points in the quarter and Anthony Edwards was held scoreless.

The Warriors were playing a very nice defensive game and none of the team was in foul trouble so there were some good things going for Golden State. In the later minutes of the quarter Anthony Edwards finally hit a shot from downtown.

This was one player that you did not want to get involved in the game. He can really dominate when he gets going. The three’s were not hitting for the Warriors going 5 of 22 as those woes continued.

As the quarter came to a close the Warriors had made a nice surge. They trailed by the score of 56-53 but had really starting heating up. Jonathan Kuminga and Thompson both had 11 points for the half. For the Timberwolves the high score was Karl-Anthony Towns with 13, the only Minnesota player with double digits

Knowing that the Warriors are a second half team the question would be do they have enough legs to finish off Minnesota. The Warriors would take the lead mid-way through the third quarter 68-64. The Warriors continued their great ball movement and defensive effort attacking the basket in the third quarter in a very tight game.

Minnesota got their first double digit lead of the game at the end of the third quarter. The Warriors had worked hard in the quarter to take the lead but the Timberwolves denied shot after shot with some great defensive play. Minnesota led 91-81.

This game was very tight through the third quarter but it all turned around in the fourth quarter and it was all Minnesota. Some questionable calls in the third quarter seemed to take the air out of the Warriors sails and it all seemed to fall apart.

It was a tough stretch for Golden State with Steve Kerr getting a technical in the midst of it. With under eight minutes left in the game Minnesota had taken a 105-84 lead.

This was a tough loss for Golden State. They had a rough time knocking down shots and the Minnesota 19-1 run in the fourth quarter just did the Warriors in. One of the bright spots for Golden State was the 19 shots from Jonathan Kuminga. The Warriors now come home, regroup and get that energy back. Right now there is no place like home for the Golden State Warriors.

The seven game home stand could not come at a better time. They will be taking on the Pistons Tuesday night with the tipoff scheduled for 7:00 PM. We will be waiting to hear of the status of Payton and Curry and will hopefully be seeing them take the court on Tuesday.