SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry scored 28 points, knocking down six 3-pointers, and the Golden State Warriors raced to an early lead on the way to a 118-91 rout of the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night.Kelly Oubre Jr. added 18 points as Golden State executed the way coach Steve Kerr has hoped for on both ends — starting with a focus on rebounding that produced a 53-49 advantage on the boards. Now, the Warriors must strive to do it consistently and against the NBA’s top-tier teams.Curry shot 11 for 17, including 6 of 8 from deep, and Golden State found a far better offensive groove after shooting just 38% in Thursday’s 114-93 loss at Phoenix — including 29% from 3-point range (11 for 38).“I thought we were on edge in a good way,” Kerr said. “The other night we were embarrassed. We got away from who we are.”Jerami Grant led Detroit with 18 points, and Josh Jackson came off the bench to score 17.The Pistons, similar to Golden State, are trying to gain momentum but couldn’t build off a big win two nights earlier with a cold night shooting. At 5-15, they have the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference.Detroit was coming off a 107-92 home win over the Lakers on Thursday — a game with 15 lead changes and eight ties — having scored the exact same number of points in a 122-107 loss at Cleveland a night earlier.“We just couldn’t find a rhythm. Their guys were making shots,” Jackson said. “We just didn’t have the energy and intensity that we normally have. I’m confident that we’ll find it.”Golden State has won nine of 11 at home against the Pistons, who pulled off a 111-104 win in their first visit to Chase Center last Jan. 4.Because of testing protocols, the Pistons did more of a walk-through without a morning shootaround. Finding a flow is tough for every team, Detroit coach Dwane Casey said.“I think it’s a byproduct of the season we’re going through, all the protocols, the unusual rhythm of the season,” Casey said. “A situation where it’s abnormal, it carries over to the court.”THOMPSON ON THE MICInjured Warriors Splash Brother Klay Thompson, sidelined for a second straight season and this time recovering from surgery for a torn right Achilles, worked the broadcast as a guest analyst. And Curry got to hang with his pal late with the game in hand.“He’s always very entertaining with his dry wit. I’ll be listening,” Kerr said. “When I watch the tape of the game I will definitely have the volume up.”CANCEL THE FLIGHTJordan Poole is headed to the G League bubble Sunday but his 16 points had teammates pulling for him to stay. They yelled “Cancel the flight!” Kerr shared.”I think my teammates wanted to sign a petition for me to stay,” Poole said. “We’ll see.”TIP-INSPistons: Went 3 for 12 to begin the game compared to 9 of 13 by the Warriors to fall behind 21-10. Detroit managed only 17 assists, shooting 9 of 36 from 3-point range. … The Pistons are 1-8 on the road and 0-2 vs. the Western Conference.Warriors: Eric Paschall missed the second half with back spasms. … Curry and Brad Wanamaker had seven assists apiece, and Draymond Green added six as Golden State finished with 34. … Rookie No. 2 draft pick James Wiseman came off the bench for the fourth straight game and contributed 11 points and nine rebounds. … Andrew Wiggins scored 47 points in the two games against Detroit. … Golden State is 2-2 at home vs. the East.RESCHEDULED GAMEThe NBA announced Golden State’s postponed road game against the Suns from Jan. 15 has been rescheduled for March 4 at Phoenix.UP NEXTPistons: At the Denver Nuggets on Monday night to continue a five-game trip out West.Warriors: Host the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night, having lost the last three in the series and five of seven, before leaving on a four-game road swing.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Tyronn Lue’s club has come out of the locker room on fire, supplementing Kawhi Leonard’s 9.8 points in the third quarter by allowing 22.9 points per period in their past eight games
Jordan Poole hasn’t yet decided what necessities he’s going to bring with him to the NBA G League bubble near Orlando. He’s just excited about finally getting consistent minutes. “I’m just ready to play 15 games in 25 days,” Poole said Saturday, the day before he heads to Orlando to begin his mandatory quarantine. “So…
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4 Sports) – The Utah Jazz continue to blow past their opponents, and are making history along the way. Bojan Bogdanovic scored 17 of his season-high 32 points in the third quarter, while Joe Ingles passed John Stockton to become Utah’s all-time leader in three-pointers made, as the Jazz cruised past Dallas for […]
Normally in a year like this one, it wouldn’t be hard to talk up the NBA’s best rivalry. Look at the set-up for Lakers-Celtics on Saturday night: It’s got big names, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis taking on Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The two head coaches, Brad Stevens and Frank Vogel,…
RAPTORS NOTES • The Toronto Raptors continue a three-game homestand (Jan. 27-31) by hosting the Sacramento Kings on Friday at Amalie Arena in Tampa. The Raptors won 144-123 on Jan. 8 at Sacramento to extend its winning streak against the Kings to seven straight games. Toronto has swept the season-series with Sacramento each of the past three seasons (2017-20). The last time the Raptors lost to the Kings was Nov. 20, 2016 when a game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer by Terrence Ross was overturned on video replay. • Toronto set a regular season franchise record by scoring 144 points earlier this month when they faced Sacramento. The Raptors shot a season-best .582 (53-for-91) from the field and .513 (20-for-39) from three-point range in the victory. Fred VanVleet scored 19 of his game-high 34 points in the second-half as the Raptors scored a season-high 72 points. Toronto scored 150 points Aug. 24, 2020 in Game 4 of its first round playoff series against Brooklyn. • The Raptors enter Friday’s game with a 2-6 record against Western Conference opponents. Chicago (10) is the only Eastern Conference team who has played more cross-conference games this season. Indiana has also played eight games vs. the West. The Raptors will face three more Western Conference opponents – Minnesota (twice), Memphis and Houston – before the midseason break. • Norman Powell scored a season and team-high 26 points in his fourth consecutive start Wednesday vs. Milwaukee. Powell has now started in seven games this season and scored 20+ points five times. He had a 22-point performance Jan. 8 at Sacramento. Powell has scored at least 20 points in four straight games (Jan. 15-27). His career-high for consecutive games with 20 points is five (Feb. 28 – Mar. 8, 2020). • Kyle Lowry (10,019) joined DeMar DeRozan (13,296) and Chris Bosh (10,275) as the only players in franchise history to score 10,000 career points Jan. 27 vs. Milwaukee. Golden State’s Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, Portland’s Damian Lillard, Washington’s Bradley Beal and Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo are the only active players with 10,000 points with their current team. Lowry is Toronto’s all-time leader in three-pointer made (1,431), assists (4,035) and steals (842). • Pascal Siakam (5) and Chris Boucher (4) lead the team in double-doubles this season. The last time Toronto faced Sacramento on Jan. 8 the frontcourt duo combined for 40 points, 14 assists and 19 rebounds, while both recording a double-double. • OG Anunoby has scored at least 10 points in a career-long nine consecutive games (Jan. 10-25). Anunoby scored a season-high 30 points during Toronto’s Jan. 24 win at Indiana. He is averaging 16.8 points and is shooting .515 (53-103) from the field, .577 (30-52) from three-point range and .833 (15-18) at the free throw line, during this streak. • Toronto has missed at least one starter due to injury in each of the last four games (Jan. 24-27). As a result, the Raptors have used a different staring five in each of their last five games. Toronto has used eight different staring lineups through the first quarter of the season. Fred VanVleet is the only player to start all 18 games for the Raptors this year.
KINGS NOTES
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES GAMES POSTPONED: On Thursday, January 21, 2021, the NBA announced that the Sacramento Kings games at Memphis on Jan. 24 and Jan. 25 have been postponed in accordance with the NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols. The games are being postponed due to unavailable players for the Grizzlies and contact tracing for other players on their roster, and in order to ensure the health and safety of players on both teams. A date for the rescheduled games will be announced at a later time. SHOOTERS SHOOT: Buddy Hield currently has the longest active streak in the NBA for making at least one three-pointer a game. According to Elias Sports Bureau, Hield has a streak of 83 games with at least one made three-pointer in a game. ACTIVE CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH AT LEAST ONE 3-POINTER 83 Buddy Hield 11/03/2019 – 1/27/2021 80 Stephen Curry 12/01/2018 – 1/27/2021 79 Joe Harris 11/12/2019 – 1/25/2021 (Ended on 1/27/21) 48 Fred VanVleet 12/20/2019 – 1/27/2021 39 Karl-Anthony Towns 10/23/2019 – 1/13/2021 Hield is also second in the NBA in three-point field goals made with 67. Hield has taken 2,057 three-point attempts as a member of the Sacramento Kings and has passed Mike Bibby for third in the Sacramento-era on the Kings All-Time three-point attempts list. HOLMES IS WHERE THE BASKET IS: Richaun Holmes ranks second the NBA in field goal percentage with .681 percent. Holmes now ranks second in franchise history through the teams first 15 games for the highest field goal percentage (min. 100 FGA), trailing Otis Thorpe who shot .731 percent during the 1985-86 season. LEAGUE-WIDE RANKINGS: Individually, Richaun Holmes ranks second in the League in field goal percentage with .681 percent. Rookie Tyrese Haliburton is tied for third amongst all rookies in scoring (11.1 ppg) and second in assists (5.0), 6th in field goal percentage (.485), tied for third in three-point field goal percentage (.457), fifth in steals (1.1) per game and is 16th amongst all players in the NBA in threepoint percentage (.457) per game. As a team, Sacramento is tied for second in the NBA in free throws attempted (25.2) and eigth in free throws made (18.1) per game. The Kings also rank 10th in the NBA in pace and are tied for 14th in points per game (112.9) while also being ranked 7th in turnovers (13.8), tied for 9th in fast break points per game (14.1 ppg). To round it out, the Kings rank fourth in the NBA in points in the paint per game (52.7). NO FOX GIVEN: De’Aaron Fox set a new career-high with 43 points on a career-high tying 17 made baskets to go along with a season-high 13 assists vs. New Orleans on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021. According to ESPN Stats & Info, Fox is the first player in the Sac-Era and first player in franchise history to score at least 40 points and have 10 assists in a game since Tiny Archibald did so on March 13, 1973 for the Kansas City Royals. Also vs. New Orleans on Sunday, Jan. 17, Fox entered the fourth quarter with 33 points and 11 assists. Fox is the first Kings player to score at least 30 points and have at least 10 assists through three quarters in a game since Mike Bibby had 31 points and 10 assists at LA Clip- pers (12/27/05). HOT ROOKIE TYRESE: Tyrese Haliburton returned to the lineup Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021 after missing two games to injury. Haliburton finished with 17 points but scored 15 points in the fourth quarter to help the Kings secure victory. According to Elias Sports Bureau, Hali- burton is the first Kings rookie since Buddy Hield scored 15 points in a fourth quarter. Hield scored 15 points vs. Phoenix on Apr. 11, 2017. Additionally, Haliburton is the second rookie to score at least 15 points in a fourth quarter this season. Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves scored 15 points on Jan. 1, 2021 vs. Washington. BLOCK PARTY: Richaun Holmes recorded a career-high six blocks Monday, Jan. 11 vs. Indiana. The sixth block coming on a goal-tending call that was then overtuned on an official review. JANUARY HOME SLATE: The Sacramento Kings opened a 7-game homestand on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 with a 128-124 victory over the Chicago Bulls. This is the second instance in Sac-Era that the Kings have had a 7-game homestand. In January of 2017, the Kings were on a 7-game homestand between Jan. 4, 2017 and Jan. 18, 2017. The Kings went 1-6 in that stretch. HOT SCORING START: According to ESPN Stats & Info, Sacramento has scored 455 points through the first four games are the most points in the first four games in the Sac-Era and the second most in Franchise History (Most: 486 points in 1960-61 in Oscar Robertson’s rookie season) SEASON OPENER THRILLER: Sacramento defeated the Denver Nuggets 124-122 in Overtime in the season opener: The Sacramento Kings 124-122 OT win over the Denver Nuggets was the first win in the Mile High City since Jan. 3, 2017 (116-110 win) and snaps a 6-game losing streak in Denver. Per @EliasSports, Wednesday night’s overtime victory for the Kings is the first season opening game to go into overtime in the Sac-era and the second time in franchise history (Nov. 5, 1955, a 100-98 loss to the New York Knicks in Rochester). Since tracking began in 96-97, Buddy Hield’s game-winner is the second game-winner on opening night in Kings franchise history. Jason Thompson had a go ahead put back dunk with :42 seconds left, also against the Nuggets on Oct. 30, 2013.
The Memphis Grizzlies finally are back on a basketball court and hoping to get back to playing games. The Grizzlies returned to practice Wednesday night after having their last five games postponed because of contact tracing within the team and the length of time they were unable to practice.They had been allowed to do individual workouts with one coach over the past couple days, and coach Taylor Jenkins said it was great to be back. “It’s definitely been unique,” Jenkins said. “But I think our entire team, a lot of credit to our players, our staff to adjust obviously working really closely with the league on what are the best courses of action over the last dating back to when we were in Portland. But everyone’s handled it really well.”The NBA stopped play last March with the Grizzlies in Portland for a road game against the Trail Blazers the next night. They were in Portland again last week on a five-game winning streak only to have the first of a back-to-back with the Trail Blazers postponed, followed quickly by the next four games. “Man, I’m starting to think Portland don’t like us man,” Grizzlies guard Ja Morant said with a laugh. Morant said he feels the Grizzlies have held each other accountable following league protocols to stay safe with COVID-19. Jenkins said center Jonas Valanciunas is working through those protocols along with another unnamed player and hopes Valanciunas returns soon. “All we can control is every time that we have an opportunity to work, we make the most of it,” Jenkins said. “So obviously, the last week has put us in a test, you know, but I think our guys rose to the occasion.”The Grizzlies currently have had a league-high six games postponed, tied with Washington. The Wizards went 13 days between games after six players tested positive for COVID-19 and three others had to sit out because of contact tracing. Memphis will have gone 12 days without games if it plays in San Antonio on Saturday. The Spurs had Monday night’s game with New Orleans postponed but beat Boston on Wednesday night. The NBA has postponed 22 games this season, 21 since Jan. 10. The Grizzlies still are waiting for Jaren Jackson Jr. and Justise Winslow to return from injuries sustained last summer in the bubble. Once Memphis resumes playing, it is looking at playing 41 games in potentially 67 days. At least Morant is healthier. The NBA Rookie of the Year had only been back two games from a sprained left ankle when the Grizzlies were forced to stop playing. He’s played only five of Memphis’ 13 games so far. “I took this time to allow my ankle to heal even more and continue to get stronger to you know, be back to the Ja, you know, who’s just jumping around and stuff,” Morant said. “So I feel like although it was tough, it was good for me.”___Follow Teresa M. Walker at https://twitter.com/TeresaMWalker___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Stephen Curry caught the ball in the corner, launched a 3-pointer and confidently turned to the Minnesota Timberwolves’ bench. Despite his off shooting night, he didn’t need to look to know this one was going down. After scoring just two points in the first half, Curry uncorked a 12-point quarter during the game’s decisive stretch.…
Well, the anticipation is over. The Boston Celtics core four players took the court together for the first time all season Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs. The 110-106 loss wasn’t a great first showing, especially considering the second quarter collapse they still almost managed to come back from. The defense continued to be super […]
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4 Sports) – Even without injured superstar Donovan Mitchell, the Utah Jazz had little problem with the Dallas Mavericks, winning its 10th straight game, 106-94. With the win, the Jazz now own the best record in the NBA at 14-4. The ten straight wins is the second longest win streak in the…
NEW YORK – Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray has been fined $25,000 for striking Dallas Mavericks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. in the groin area, it was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.
The incident, for which Murray received a Flagrant Foul 2 and was ejected, occurred with 4:51 remaining in the third quarter of the Nuggets’ 117-113 victory over the Mavericks on Jan. 25 at American Airlines Center.
The view from left field 