Kings win preseason game in Portland 107-93

Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) tries to get control of the ball as he’s defended by the Portland Trailblazers center Jusuf Nurkic (27) at Monda Center in Portland on Mon Oct 11, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Monday, October 11, 2021

With Davion Mitchell, Terence Davis and Harrison Barnes providing the offensive firepower, the Sacramento Kings emerged with a 107-93 NBA exhibition victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter.

The Kings (2-0) jumped to a 25-17 lead after one quarter, extending that advantage to 55-48 at halftime. Sacramento scored 26 points in the third and fourth quarters.

Mitchell led the Kings with 20 points and four assists in 32 minutes. Davis netted 17 points off the bench, and Barnes had 16 points in 22 minutes. Chimezie Metu collected seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and nine points.

16 Kings players saw action in the contest; with Marvin Bagley III, Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson all held out by coach’s decision.

Guard Anfernee Simons led the Blazers (0-1) with 24 points, followed by Dennis Smith Jr. with 18 points (and seven assists) and 10 points by Marquese Chriss. Greg Brown III led Portland with nine rebounds off the bench, followed by eight boards from Jusuf Nurkic.

The Trail Blazers used 11 players, with Robert Covington and Damian Lillard held out for rest. Portland had six players inactive for the game due to injury or illness.

Sacramento plays one more exhibition game in Portland on Wednesday, Oct. 20, before returning home on Friday, Oct. 22, for its regular season home opener at Golden 1 Center against the Utah Jazz.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Langston the latest to receive waivers from Warriors; Wiseman to return against Portland Friday

The Golden State Warriors center James Wiseman is expected back this Fri Oct 15, 2021 at the Chase Center in San Francisco for the pre season game against the Portland Trailblazers after rehabbing from knee surgery from April (USA Today file photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Golden State Warriors have waived guard Langston Galloway who was averaging 3.3 points per pre season game. Langston wasn’t providing enough offense to the Warriors liking and was cut from the team.

#2 Langston also had a low average of rebounds with 3.7 and assists 1.7 although he had very limited time to try and prove himself averaging 8.8 minutes a game.

#3 Klay Thompson showed he still had game after coming off two seasons of injuries with a pair of mighty one handed throw downs in practice at the Warriors facility. Thompson is expected to take the next two pre season games this Tuesday and Friday off before seeing action in the first regular season game.

#4 Barbara, from what you’ve seen how ready for the regular season is Thompson we know it’s been two seasons and that last NBA Finals vs. Toronto since Thompson has played a complete game.

#5 Last April 15th center James Wiseman underwent surgery for a right meniscal tear the Warriors report that Wiseman is making progress during rehab and soon will be taking shooting practice and other on court plays. Wiseman will be observed and it’s to be determined when he will return.

Join Barbara for the Warriors podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings looking real good in pre season

Expect the Sacramento Kings De’Aaron Fox to contend as one of the top scorers each night for the Kings. The Kings head to Portland for more pre season basketball against the Trailblazers on Mon Oct 11, 2021 (file photo CBS)

On the Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Sacramento Kings (2-0) are looking pretty good so far with pre season wins over the Phoenix Suns (1-1) and the Los Angeles Clippers (1-1). They handled the Suns on Oct 4th with a 117-106 win and they defeated the Clippers in LA on Wednesday night 113-98. You had a chance to attend how do they look on each side of the ball?

#2 Once again the Kings don’t have to go as far as relying on De’Aaron Fox who led with 23 points on Wednesday night against the Clippers. He’s no doubt going to be the difference maker this season.

#3 The Kings Terence Davis scored 15 points finishing second in scoring tell us from what you saw of him in exhibition action how he’ll impact the offense?

#4 Talk about head coach Luke Walton whose gone through the grinder to try and win games and his own personal experiences. It’s early, it’s only pre season but there is a different feeling this season that the Kings could be competitive and certainly can be much better.

#5 The Kings head to Portland to face the Trailblazers (0-1) on Mon Oct 11th. The Blazers took a beating from the Golden State Warriors 121-107 on Wednesday night. The Blazers Damion Lillard scored 19 points and he could be a force, Jeremiah tell us how you see this match with the Blazers on Monday night?

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

Kings open pre season with 117-106 win over Suns; Barnes leads with 18 points

The Sacramento Kings forward Marvin Bagley (35) and Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) scramble for the ball during pre season home opener for the Kings at the Chase Center in Sacramento on Mon Oct 4, 2021 (USA Today photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action at the Golden One Center on Monday night. It was the first preseason game for the Kings since last season. A lot had taken place since the Kings last took the court.

The Kings drafted elite defender Davion Mitchell to try and jumpstart a defense that is way behind NBA level. The Kings main focus in training camp this year was defense. With the likes of De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Halliburton, Harrison Barnes, and Buddy Hield the Kings should be able to score plenty of points.

The issue has been defense and that’s what the Kings were looking to address. The Kings would take on the Phoenix Suns on Monday night at 7 PM PST.

The Suns came into Sacramento as the defending Western conference champions. Of course, since it is preseason the Suns wouldn’t have all their starters on the court. However, all the Kings starters did play. The Kings came away with a pre season home opener victory over the Suns 117-106.

In the first half, Harrison Barnes shined for the Kings. The first quarter saw the Kings outscore the Suns 30-23 as the Kings offense got off to a hot start. In the second quarter, it was more of the same.

The Kings offense put up 31 points compared to the Suns 24 as the Kings would pull out in front to a commanding 61-47 halftime lead. In the first half, the Kings got a great performance from the aforementioned Harrison Barnes who scored 16 points.

Barnes hit 4-6 threes in an impressive half for the Kings playing 16:20 minutes. The Suns were led in the first half by Landry Shamet who scored ten points. The Kings would hope to finish off a solid game to start the preseason but would need to avoid a second-half hangover in order to do so.

In the second half, the Kings continued to play solid basketball. The third quarter saw the Kings score 29 points compared to the Suns 24 points. The Kings had outscored the Suns in each of the first three quarters as the Kings regulars continued to get minutes.

The Kings would take a 90-71 lead into the fourth quarter as they looked to seal the deal. In the fourth quarter, the Kings were outscored by the Suns 35-27 but the Kings still won the game 117-106. The Kings were led in victory by Harrison Barens (18 points), Marvin Bagley (15 points), and Buddy Hield who added 14 points. In defeat, the Suns were led by Landry Shamet who scored 13 points.

Up Next: The Kings will take on the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night in Los Angeles. The tip is scheduled for 7:30 PM PST.

Warriors Open Pre-Season With A 121-107 Win; Wiggins relents takes vaccine in time for pre season home opener on Wednesday

Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins poses for the Warriors Media Day photos at the Chase Center on Wed Sep 27, 2021 (AP News photo)

Warriors Open Pre-Season With A 121-107 Win

By Barbara Mason

Tonight the NBA takes its first step towards the regular season. The Golden State Warriors took on the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center in their first pre- season game of 2021.

We may not see a whole lot of the starters for Golden State. Head Coach Steve Kerr typically does not play them very much in pre-season but there will be a number of bench players we are looking forward to seeing.

The projected starting lineup will be Curry, Poole, Wiggins, Green and Looney. We will have to see just how long these guys stay in the game. Of course we are all waiting for the return of Klay Thompson who is still a few months out but we certainly welcome the fans back. They are such an important part of the game day experience and they symbolize the return to some sort of normalcy.

In the first quarter, the Warrior began firing those 3’s. Jordan Poole had three of them. As the quarter came to an end the Warriors led by a single point 26-25.

In the second quarter both teams played even exchanging the lead in a closely contested quarter. We got a good look at Damian Lee, Otto Porter Jr., Andre Iguodala and Juan Toscano. At halftime the score was dead even at 60. Jordan Poole had 15 points in the half and for Portland the point leader was Damian Lillard with 19.

As the third quarter began to wind down Golden State had taken a significant lead 97-83. At the end of the quarter the Warriors had a 100-85 lead.

Jordan Poole had 30 points for Golden State and Damian Lillard finished with 19. Otto Porter Jr. had 19 points off the bench. Poole also knocked down 7 three’s. He was the story of this game.

The final was 121-107. We got to see some old faces and some new ones as well. The bottom line is that basketball is back and we are going to have 82 games to enjoy this season which gets underway on October 19. Until then we will have four more pre-season games. On Wed October 6th the Warriors will play the Denver Nuggets in one of those pre-season games. Tipoff will be at 7:00 PM.

Notable notes: Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins on Sunday accepted taking his first vaccine shot. Asked what changed Wiggins mind Warriors head coach Steve Kerr didn’t want to elaborate as to the why but only would say he took it and it’s over nothing further to discuss.

Wiggins would not have been allowed inside Chase Center the home of the Warriors had he refused to take the vaccine because of Covid 19 protocols and would have lost $350,000 per game. The Warriors who host the Nuggets Wednesday night at home would have not been able to even allow Wiggins in the building had he further refused to take the vaccine shot.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: After two years off Thompson ready to splash the net again

Golden State Warriors Klay Thompson seen here on Thu Jun 13, 2019 getting help from the training staff in game 6 of the NBA Finals vs. the Toronto Raptors at the Oracle Arena in Oakland (AP News file photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 It’s hard to believe after two long years of various injuries for Golden State Warrior Klay Thompson in 2019 the ACL tear and in 2020 the ruptured Achilles.

#2 It’s been a long road to recovery but although it’s just an exhibition game on Monday in Portland Thompson has to be happy to be back and although .

#3 You have to go all the way back to the 2019 NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors which Thompson and the Warriors lost. Thompson said his goal is to get back to that level of play after the last two years off.

#4 How important is it for Stephen Curry to get his splash brother back and will they be able to rekindle that old magic again or will the key word be old after two years of not playing together as there might have been some aging process since Thompson’s return?

#5 Thompson said once he gets back out on the floor tonight he wants to be an effective player and a player that can execute will it take some time to get adjusted or know the kind of player Thompson is he’ll be firing on all cylinders right away?

Barbara Mason does the Golden State Warriors podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria: Kings take on struggling Rockets Thursday night in Sacramento

The Portland Trailblazers Carmelo Anthony (00) takes a fade away shot over the Sacramento Kings center Buddy Hield (24) and Cory Joseph (right) on Thu Mar 4, 2021 in Portland (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony R:

#1 The Kings (14-22) enjoyed the All Star break off but it’s time to get back to work. The Kings lost their last game ending up in a loss 123-119 to the Portland Trailblazers (21-14) in Portland on Thu Mar 4th.

#2 In the loss the Kings did play seven players out of eight who wound up in double figures so they lost by four but ended up playing some good offense against the Blazers.

#3 Tony De’Aaron Fox continues to be consistent with 32 points scored leading the Kings in offense last Thursday he’s getting some help from his teammates where before there were certain games he was carrying the weight of the team.

#4 Also Tony talk about guard Buddy Hield he’s just behind Fox in scoring he was second last Thursday with 21 points and has been a big part of the scoring for Sacramento.

#5 The Houston Rockets (11-23) are next up the Rockets have lost 13 straight games as they visit the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night Mar 11th at Golden One Center. The Rockets really haven’t been the same since James Harden left.

Join Tony R every other Thursday for the Kings podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria Thu Mar 11, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

 

Headline Sports podcast with Barbara Mason: Embiid and Simmons barber had Covid-19 leading to removal from All Star Game; Kings and Warriors reviews

Joe Embiid (21) and Ben Simmons (25) of the Philadelphia 76ers both were removed from playing in the NBA All Star Game due to Covid-19 protocol issues on Sun Mar 7, 2021 in Atlanta (@sixers)

On Headline Sports with Barbara:

#1 The Philadelphia 76ers (24-12) Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons received haircuts from a barber who had tested positive for Covid-19 and the NBA announced that both players were not going to play in last night’s All Star game in Atlanta.

#2 Barbara, the Sacramento Kings (14-22) have been playing .500 ball in their last four games. The Kings lost their last game to the Portland Trailblazers (21-14) 123-119 on Thursday night. The Kings previous game to that one was a shocker as they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers (24-13) 123-120 also memorable because LeBron did not play.

#3 The Kings although they lost to Portland on Thursday looks to have improved over the last two games with the win over the Lakers and the close contest against the Trailblazers.

#4 The Golden State Warriors (19-18) just below the playoff line in ninth place in the Western Conference the Warriors after winning six of seven went on a three game losing streak losing most recently to the Phoenix Suns (24-11) 120-98 last Thursday. Jordan Poole scored 26 leading Golden State in scoring.

#5 The Warriors face the fourth place Los Angeles Clippers (24-14) on Thu Mar 11 at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The Clippers have lost five of their last seven games and in their last game they lost a close one to the Washington Wizards (14-20) 119-117.

Join Barbara for Headline Sports each Monday morning at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Barbara Mason Mon Mar 8, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Game just narrowly slips past Kings in loss to Portland

The Portland Trailblazers guard Damion Lillard (0) goes for the lay up against the Sacramento Kings forward Nemanja Bjelica (8) on Thu Mar 4, 2021 in Portland (AP News photo)

On the Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Kings (14-22) hung all game with the Portland Trailblazers (21-14) but in the end just couldn’t put the final touches on the Blazers in the 123-119 loss.

#2 The Trailblazers top scorer Damion Lillard led with 44 points Lillard one of the key factors that the Trailblazers were able to pull this game off against the Kings.

#3 The Kings used only eight players in the contest and had seven of them finish in double figures led by De’Aaron Fox with 32 points. The Kings good enough to win but just couldn’t finish.

#4 The Kings for all four quarters were able to hang with the Blazers they had definitely improved on offense and defense and it show when they beat the Lakers on Wednesday night and in this loss to Portland on Thursday night.

#5 The Kings are in Houston against the Rockets (11-23) on Thursday night the Rockets are certainly a different team since James Harden left.

Join Jeremiah for Kings game coverage after every Kings game at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings game wrap: Kings played improved ball but can’t hang on with Blazers 123-119

The Portland Trailblazers forward Robert Covington tried prying the ball out of the hands of the Sacramento Kings forward Nemanja Bjelica during first half action Thu Mar 4, 2021’s contest in Portland (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

The day has finally arrived for Kings players. That day is the end of the first half of the 2021 season. The first half of the season has been very up and down for the Kings. They went on a streak of winning 7-8 games, and also a nine game losing streak. It was really a tale of two teams.

On Thursday night, the Kings would suit up for the last time before the All Star break. It would be the second night of a back to back after playing in Sacramento against the Lakers the night before.

In Wednesday’s game, the King battled. It wasn’t the cleanest game of all time but the Kings did manage to pull out the win against the Lakers. Granted, the Lakers were without their stars Lebron James and Anthony Davis. The Kings managed to win 123-120.

Thursday night, the Kings would be on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland. Tip-off was set for 7 PM PST. Only to lose it in a close well battled game between the two clubs with the Blazers winning 123-114.

In the first half, the Kings played well. They didn’t allow the Blazers to take a large lead and kept the game close. The Kings were out scored 30-27 in the first quarter as they looked to solidify the defensive end of the floor.

In the second quarter, The Kings and Blazers both scored 29 points to send the game into halftime with a 59-56 lead over the Kings. The Kings would look to continue the decent defense in the second half to keep the game close.

In the second half, the Kings pulled ahead early. After the third quarter, in which the Kings out scored the Blazers 34-30, the Kings offense began to show life. It would be up to the defense in the fourth quarter to contain Damion Lillard and come away with a win.

That wasn’t to happen. The Blazers out scored the Kings 34-29 in the final quarter to beat the Kings. The Kings played sloppy offense in the final minute which ultimately cost them the game.

Lillard finished the game with 44 points and the Kings were led by De’Aaron Fox who had 32. This was the Kings final game before the All Star break and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see some roster moves when the next Kings game takes place.

Up next: The All Star break will last until Thursday March 11th when the Kings welcome in the Houston Rockets at 7 PM PST in Sacramento.