NBA Playoffs podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Nuggets take 2-0 lead to Southland; Face Lakers in games 3 and 4 at Crypto

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray is pressured by Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) during the second half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals series, Thursday, May 18, 2023, in Denver. (AP News photo)

On the NBA Playoffs podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Denver Nuggets Jamal Murray scored 37 points against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night as the Nuggets won game 2 108-103.

#2 Murray turned it on in the last ten minutes of the game as the Nuggets scored 32 points in the fourth quarter which surpassed the Lakers in Denver.

#3 Jeremiah, the Lakers are on the ropes and only can hope that they can dominate in the next two games Saturday and Tuesday for games three and four. The Lakers have players who are experienced in post season and that might be one of the factors to have a shot at some kind of comeback.

#4 The Nuggets had the advantage of having the crowd behind them and former Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was in attendance in a front row seat.

#5 Jeremiah, Murray says he doesn’t get any respect he has not been selected for All NBA or the All Star team in six seasons. Murray says he’s better than a lot of players in the league, Murray said if the Nuggets can win the chip it would change everything.

Join Jeremiah for the NBA Playoffs podcast Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors Beat Lakers 121-106 to Stave off Elimination, Force Game 6

Photo credit: @warriors

By: Mary Anne

Wednesday night was do-or-die for the Golden State Warriors, who hosted the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals. The Warriors beat the Lakers 121-106 at the Chase Center.

There was star power in the building, as NBA on TNT analyst and former NBA player Baron Davis rang Wednesday’s bell ahead of Game 5. That said, Golden State was good to go.

The Warriors’ starting five featured Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Gary Payton II, and Draymond Green. Curry scored from downtown to get the Warriors going early in the first quarter. Curry and Green weren’t the Splash Brothers, per se, but the two were the first-quarter kings. The Warriors led 32-28 after the first quarter.

The Warriors continued to pour in the points in the second quarter. Jordan Poole took in the basket to score a layup, Andrew Wiggins provided an offensive spark, and Gary Payton II was so good in scoring in the paint. The Warriors led 70-59 at the half.

The second half saw a superb statistic. Stephen Curry passed Mark Jackson for 22nd most assists in NBA playoff history. Jackson is a former NBA player who played point guard for the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, Indiana Pacers, Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, and Houston Rockets. Jackson also served as the Warriors head coach from 2011 to 2014.

Andrew Wiggins continued to deliver his offensive energy, and the Warriors led 93-82 after three quarters.

The Warriors came in hot in the fourth quarter. Andrew Wiggins was a key offensive player from start to finish, while Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green all contributed offensively.

The Warriors survived a win-or-go-home Game 5 for a 121-106 victory.

Stephen Curry led the Warriors in scoring with 27 points, three rebounds, eight assists, and one block.

Andrew Wiggins recorded 25 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and one steal. Draymond Green scored 20 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block.

Gary Payton II had 13 points, six rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Jordan Poole had 11 points, one rebound, and four assists. Klay Thompson had 10 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal, and two blocks. Moses Moody had six points and four rebounds. Jonathan Kuminga had five points, one rebound, and one assist. Kevon Looney had four points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block.

Donte DiVincenzo added two rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

The Warriors head to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers in Game 6 on Friday at 7:00 pm Pacific.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: A’s might sell source; A’s have deal with contractors to build Vegas park ; Kings Fox hopes to be in game 5 line up

Oakland A’s owner John Fisher could be considering selling the A’s according to a source, the A’s despite low attendance are making money this season and could sell to an owner who could keep the team in Oakland (file photo SF Gate)

On That’s Amaury podcast:

#1 Amaury, Oakland A’s owner John Fisher amongst all the negative publicity of moving the team to Las Vegas and having crowds of 3,000 to 6,000 fans on average per game is actually making money is considering selling the team according to news reports on KRON 4 and Scott Ostler at the San Francisco Chronicle.

#2 Ostler who did not name any of the groups who are interested in buying the A’s said that he heard from a source that is reliable that Fisher would consider selling the team as the cost and value of the team continues to increase. Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob expressed interest in buying the team and that’s a standing offer.

#3 On Monday MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred apologized to Oakland fans saying he’s really sorry for any hurt the A’s fans are feeling but it’s not Fisher’s fault. The city of Oakland couldn’t get a deal done in a timely fashion. In the same breath Manfred said that Vegas will present a real revenue enhancing opportunity.

#4 Turning to the NBA the Sacramento Kings De’Aaron Fox has fractured his finger on his shooting hand. Fox lead all scorers in game four during Sunday afternoon’s game against the Golden State Warriors with 38 points and has been a crucial player in the Kings line up. Fox injured the tip of his left index finger. It’s got to be an impact when you lose your leading scorer.

#5 With Fox the Kings have not ruled him out of the line up for game five on Wednesday and cold wear protective covering over his index finger. If Fox suffers more pain the next two highest scorers Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray will need to step up. Fox is one of the guys who got the Kings this far it’s been quite a ride for Sacramento but without Fox it’s a sure test for the Kings.

#6 The Green Bay Packers have dealt quarterback Aaron Rogers to the New York Jets. Rogers quarterbacked for the Green Bay Packers for 18 seasons and will wear No. 8 instead of No.12 which was formerly worn by Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namith who gave his consent for Rogers to wear the number. Rogers declined and will wear the No.8 which he wore when he quarterback at Cal.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors Take Game Four 101-98 for 3-1 series lead; Game 5 goes back to Memphis Wednesday night

The Memphis Grizzlies guard Tyus Jones (21) tries to get a finger roll going against the Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) defending in game four at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Mon May 9, 2022 (AP news photo)

Warriors Take Game Four To Lead Series 3-1

By Barbara Mason

After a wild and crazy Game Three the Golden State Warriors took on the Memphis Grizzlies in Game Four at Chase Center. In another crazy turn Head Coach Steve Kerr was not on the sidelines testing positive for Covid. A more than competent Mike Brown took over at the helm in this game.

After suffering a knee sprain in Game Three Ja Morant was not in the lineup for this game. Memphis has the weapons to be a threat despite Morant’s absence.

The Warriors who trailed most of the game got the lead for keeps thanks to Stephen Curry’s free throws under the last minute of the game for a 101-98 game four win to take a 3-1 series lead back to Memphis on Wednesday night.

The Warriors had a horrible start. They would finish the first half 2 of 20 from beyond the arc. At the half the Warriors trailed by the score of 41-38. Considering the way they were playing they were extremely lucky to only be trailing by three. Missed open shots, far too many fouls, and shooting at 34% will not win very many ball games.

The Warriors had a third quarter that was no different from the first and second quarters. The final two minutes of the quarter saw a bit of a spark from Golden State. Curry hit a shot from downtown which reignited the crowd. The Grizzlies were hanging onto a slim lead 62-60 with two minutes left in the quarter. Desmond Bane would hit a 32-foot buzzer beater giving the Grizzlies a 69-62 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Golden State would have a single quarter to turn this game around. Every time the Warriors got close the Grizzlies would answer. With four minutes left in the contest Golden State was running out of time. The Warriors went on a 10-2 run to win this game for the four point win. This was a game that the Warriors could not afford to lose and when push came to shove they weathered the storm in Warrior fashion.

Curry finished the game with a high score of 32 points. The Warriors did have a nice defensive game. Draymond Green had 11 rebounds and Andrew Wiggins had 10.

Game Five will be back in Memphis at the FedEx Forum and all signs point toward the return of Ja Morant. The Warriors have to turn this offense around and put a lid on these turnovers. Leading the series 3-1 the Warriors have everything to play for. Game five will be on Wednesday with tipoff scheduled for 6:30 PM PDT.

Golden State Warriors report: Head coach Kerr comes up positive for Covid 19 sits out tonight; Mike Brown to coach game 4 vs. Memphis tonight

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr sat out for game 4 due to Covid 19 protocols against the Memphis Grizzlies at Chase Center on Mon May 9, 2022 (sfgate.com file photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr entered Covid 19 protocols as announced by the Warriors on Monday ahead of game 4 as the Warriors prepared to host the visiting Memphis Grizzlies.

Mike Brown the Warriors assistant coach and who was recently hired to be the Sacramento Kings head coach for next season took over as head coach for tonight’s game at the Chase Center a few hours after it was learned that Kerr would not be coaching the NBA Playoff game.

It was not disclosed by Golden State if Kerr was experiencing symptoms but was learned that he’s is quarantining from home and it was not known how long he will be out. Covid 19 according to White House reports says that the pandemic is flourishing again and it’s just a question whether masks and social distancing at NBA playoff games would return depending on how the spread gets.

Brown is in the unique position of being a head coach officially of two NBA at the same time as Brown was hired by the Kings on Monday. After the post season Brown will be taking over at the Kings and will be working from the Golden One Center in Sacramento.

The Warriors who have a 2-1 best of seven series lead on the Grizzlies both teams have had quite a physical series with a number of flagrant 2 fouls called with the Grizzlies Dillion Brooks who was suspended for game 3 after fouling the Warriors Gary Payton II who broke his elbow on the foul.

NBA Playoffs podcast with Joe Hawkes: Hawks edge Sixers 128-124 in game 1; Clippers advance to next round defeat Mavs in game 7, 126-111

The Atlanta Hawks Trae Young (11) who led in scoring takes a jump shot in the second half of play against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia in game 1 on Sun Jun 6, 2021 (AP News photo)

On the NBA Playoffs with J Hawkes:

#1 Joe, the Atlanta Hawks (1-0) are really showing what a powerful successful team they are with a first game victory over the Philadelphia 76ers (0-1) 128-124 on Sunday at the Wells Fargo Center.

#2 The Hawks Trae Young is over having pop corn spilled on him in New York during the first round of the playoffs and was spilling baskets against the Sixers leading in team scoring with 35 points which all counted in a four point first game win.

#3 Game two is Tuesday night in Philadelphia the Hawks Young has been leading scorer, Bogdan Bogdanovic was second in scoring with 21 and Kevin Huerter was third in scoring with 15. For the 76ers Joel Embiid top scorer on Sunday with 39 and four 76ers finished in double figures. Joe how do you get a read on game 2?

#4 It wasn’t even close the LA Clippers had offensive control, they had ball possession and the Mavericks certainly were struggling to shut down the Clippers shots.

#5 Joe talk about Leonard Kahwai 28 points and Marcus Morris 23 points and the Clippers heading to the next round of the playoffs.

Join Joe each Sunday for the NBA Playoffs podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Daniel Dullum: Osaka cites depression; Braves Ozuna alledgedly threatens to kill wife; plus more news

Japan’s Naomi Osaka serves the ball to Romania’s Patricia Maria Tig at the French Open during the first round at Roland Garros Stadium on Sun May 30, 2021 (AP News photo)

1 Naomi Osaka withdraws from French Open, citing depression issues and refusal to speak to the media

2 Investigators: Braves’ Marcell Ozuna threatened to kill his wife before his arrest for domestic violence

3 46-year-old Helio Castroneves wins record-tying 4th Indianapolis 500

4 Fan who reached the court during Game 4 of the Washington-Philadelphia NBA playoff game banned from Capital One Arena; Jazz ban three fans for heckling Ja Morant’s family; Knicks ban fan for spitting on Trae Young

5 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Habs force Game 7 with Maple Leafs; Leafs are packing up their bags and heading for the golf course. Habs defeat Leafs to advance to next round after being down 3-1 in the series.

Daniel Dullum does Headline Sports podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Join Daniel Dullum each Tuesday for Headline Sports podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NBA Playoffs podcast with Joe Hawkes: A look at Knicks-Hawks, Sun-Lakers, Nets-Celtics, Clippers-Mavericks

The Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins (20) is fouled trying to make a basket by the New York Knicks forward Taj Gibson (67) on Sun May 30, 2021 in Atlanta in game 4 of the NBA Playoffs (AP News photo)

J Hawkes on the NBA podcast takes a look at today’s playoffs games:

#1 New York Knicks 96 @ Atlanta Hawks 113 game 4 Atlanta leads the series 3-1

#2 Phoenix Suns 100 @ Los Angeles 92 Lakers game 4 series is tied 2-2

#3 Brooklyn Nets @ Boston Celtics game 4

#4 Los Angeles Clippers @ Dallas Mavericks game 4

Joe Hawkes does the NBA podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors’ season ends lose heartbreaker in overtime to Grizzlies 117-112

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors looks down at the floor as the Warriors were eliminated by the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA Western Conference Play In game at Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday May 21, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors (0-2) lost a heartbreaker Friday night to the Memphis Grizzlies (2-0) 117-112. The Warriors lost by three to the Lakers Wednesday night. Had they won the game, they would have been the eighth seed and play the Utah Jazz this Sunday. Could the Warriors rebound?

Did they have enough gas left in the tank to take down the young and hungry Memphis team? The Warriors beat the Grizzlies last Sunday 113-101, and the team was confident they could beat Memphis again. Unfortunately for Golden State, Memphis figured out a way to beat them.

The Grizzlies’ young stars Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks led Memphis to the playoffs. They gave the Warriors all they could handle. Golden State didn’t quit as a late surge in the fourth quarter forced the game into overtime.

The Grizzlies got off to a great start. They were leading 24-14 when Steph Curry went on a personal 10-2 run to bring the Warriors within two, 26-24. Jordan Poole hit a three to give the Warriors a short-lived lead 27-26. Memphis regained the lead to finish the first quarter leading 30-29. 

Things did not go well for the Warriors in the second quarter. Memphis started the quarter on a 15-9 run. They increased the lead to 15, 57-42. The Warriors Stephen Curry made a three, and Jordan Poole made a two-point basket to close within ten, 59-49.

The Grizzlies answered with a three to finish the first half leading 62-49. The Grizzlies outscored the Warriors 32-20 in the period. The Warriors continued to have problems handling the ball. They turned the ball over nine times in the first half to give the Grizzlies 13 points. Curry led the Warriors with 17. No other Warrior were in double figures. The Grizzlies’ bench outscored the Warriors bench 25-11. 

The Warriors’ defense came to life in the third quarter. The Warriors held the Grizzlies to 16 points while scoring 24. The Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks hounded Curry all night long. Curry and Andrew Wiggins helped the Warriors fightback to finish the third quarter trailing by five, 78-73.

The fourth quarter would be a nailbiter. Memphis upped the lead to nine 97-88 with less than three minutes left in the game. The Warriors went on a 9-0 run tie the game 97-97. Draymond Green, Jordan Poole, and Curry all made key plays on the 9-0 run. Memphis went ahead by two 99-97 with 55 seconds left.

Andrew Wiggins made a bucket to the game 99-99. Memphis had the ball with 33.2 seconds left. The Warriors defense came up with the stop. The Warriors had 9.2 seconds left to make a basket and win the game. They could not score, and the game went into overtime.

Memphis scored the first bucket in OT. Wiggins tied it with a two-pointer to tie the game at 101-101. Curry scored a basket to put the Warriors in the lead 102-101. The Grizzlies’ Grayson Allen connected on two three-point shots to make it 107-103.

Green and Poole made baskets from downtown to give the s the Warriors advantage, 109-107. The Grizzlies’ Xavier Tillman made a three. Ja Morant made two more buckets to put the Grizzlies in the driver’s seat 114-109 with four seconds left. Poole hit a three to cut the lead to two, 114-112. With two seconds left in the game and Memphis had the ball. Desmond Bane scored the final three points of the game. Memphis wins 117-112.

Game Notes and Stats: The Warriors’ season ended Friday night. The Warriors lost key players to injuries. Klay Thompson will return to action next season. He suffered an Achilles tendon injury in November and worked hard to get back into playing shape.

Rookie center James Wiseman suffered a knee injury, Kelly Oubre, Jr wrist, Eric Paschall hip flexor. The Warriors were down to eight players. Curry had an amazing season and is now a candidate for the NBA’s MVP award. Jordan Poole showed that he could be an offensive threat coming off the bench. Poole was sent down to the G-League. He found his game.

Andrew Wiggins played well on both ends of the court this year. Green, a finalist for Defensive Player of the year, excelled as a point guard. He was third in the league with assists, averaging about nine per game. 

Curry led the Warriors with 39 points. He was 13-for-28 from the floor and connected on six threes. Andrew Wiggins had a double-double with 22 points and ten boards. Green did everything he could to help the Warriors effort. He finished the night with a triple-double.

The Warriors usually never lose when Green has a triple-double. It was the second time in his career that the team lost when he achieved his goal. His line was 11 points, 16 rebounds, and ten assists. Poole had 19, Kent Bazemore ten.

As a team, the W’s shot 44.7% from the floor. They made 12 threes.

Ja Morant led Memphis with 35 points. Dillon Brooks had 13, Jarret Jackson 10. The Memphis bench outscored the Warriors bench 40-27. 

The Warriors committed 21 turnovers. Memphis scored 22 points off those turnovers. 

So, the season ends for Golden State. The team played well down the stretch. Curry was amazing. The team may not be going to the playoffs this year, but there is great anticipation for next season when Thompson, Wiseman, Paschall, and Oubre return. They were fun to watch.

Warriors overcome a 17-point deficit to sweep the Trail Blazers

by Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors downed the Portland Trailblazer 119-117 to sweep the Western Conference Finals. They now advance to the NBA Finals for the fifth consecutive year. They join the Boston Celtics as they and the Celtics are the only teams to reach the Finals for five seasons in a row.

The Warriors won their fifth game in a row with superstar Kevin Durant on the sidelines. DeMarcus Cousins, who injured a quadriceps muscle in the series against the LA Clippers was not available either. Andre Iguodala hurt his calf in Game Three in Portland and was questionable for Monday’s game. Warriors coach Steve Kerr opted to not play Andre. Kerr made changes in the starting lineup, and they paid off as the W’s won. It was not easy as they had to do it in overtime, but they did it.

The Blazers who had a 17-point lead in game two, and an eighteen-point point in game three, were able to gain a 17-point advantage in game four. The Blazers’ Damian Lillard, who suffered a rib injury and wasn’t at his best in games 2 and 3, was determined to play better and lead his team to a win. Blazers’ head coach, Terry Stotts, shuffled his lineup and inserted seven-foot-one -inch Meyers Leonard in the lineup. Leonard, who was averaging about six points a game, had the game of his life. He scored twenty-five points in the first half and knocked down five threes.

The Warriors, without Andre Iguodala, started forwards Jordan Bell and Alfonzo McKinnie. It was the first time that either player ever started an NBA Playoff game. The Warriors were hoping the “next man up” philosophy would work and it did.

The first period was very fast and furious. Both teams raced up and down the court. There were nine lead changes in the first quarter alone. The Warriors finished the period with a slim 36-35 lead. Steph Curry had 12, and Klay Thompson added 10 to pace the Warrior attack. Portland’s Meyers Leonard put 14 on the board, and CJ McCollum had 8, and Lillard added 7.

The Blazers, behind Leonard, McCollum, and Lillard outscored the W’s 34-29 to finish the first half leading 69-65. They led by eleven 66-55 late in the second period. Steph Curry made two three and a deuce to end the half trailing 69-65.

The Blazers knew it was now or never. They knew that they had to put away the Warriors. They knew that the Warriors had come back from significant deficits in game 2 and 3. They knew that if they hoped to win, they had to shut down the W’s offense and, at the same time, find a way to break down the Warriors defense. They held Draymond Green to just two points in the first half. Without Iguodala, could Draymond do it again? He answered the question. Yes, he did it again. The Blazers led 98-78 late in the third quarter. The Warriors scored the last eight points of the quarter to trail by eight 95-87. The Warriors knew that they had work to do in the final period, but an eight-point deficit is not impossible to overcome.

Curry hit a three to start the fourth quarter. Portland hit two-threes to go up by eleven 101-90. The Warriors defense started to throttle the Blazers’ offense. The Warriors went on a 14-3 run to tie the game at 104. Portland’s Rod Hood made a bucket, but Kevon Looney countered with one of his own to tie it at 106. Draymond gave the W’s the lead 108-106. Lillard made a three and Leonard added a bucket to put Portland ahead 111-108. Klay Thompson knocked down a three to tie it, and the game went to overtime.

The Warriors fell behind 115-114. Alfonzo McKinnie made a bucket to give the W’s the lead 116-115. Draymond Green made his only three-pointer of the game to provide the W’s their most significant lead of the night 119-115. Lillard connected on a two-point shot to close the gap to two 119-117. Neither team could relax. With 3.3 seconds left, Portland had the ball. If they made a two-point bucket, they would have tied the game and forced another 5-minute overtime period. If they made a three, they would have won. The Warriors held on, and Portland could not get off a shot. The Warriors win and end the Blazers’ season.

Game Notes and Stats- The Warriors bench players all performed well in Monday night’s win. Jordan Bell had seven, Alfonzo McKinnie was in double figures with 12. Kevon Looney continued his excellent play. He had a double-double with 12 points 14 rebounds. He, again, did a superb job getting offensive rebounds. Klay Thompson had 17, and he was tasked with trying to shut down Portlands CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard. The Warriors had another first as they had two players that had a triple-double. Draymond Green, held to two points in the first half, finished the night with 18 points, 14 boards, and 11 assists. Step Curry had his fifth game in a row with 30 or more points. He tallied 37 and had 12 rebounds and 11 assists. Shay Livingston added 8, coming off the bench.

Meyers Leonard led Portland with 30 points and 12 rebounds. McCollum finished with 26. Damian Lillard had a double-double for Portland with 28 points, 4 rebounds, and 12 assists. Zach Collins was the other Blazer in double figures with 10.

The Warriors outrebounded the Blazers 55-28 The W’s had 15 offensive rebounds. Portland had six. The Warriors had 10 steals and 5 blocks.

The Warriors will now have a few days off as they await the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Milwaukee Bucks lead the Series 2-1. Game four will be played in Toronto Tuesday night.