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Kiszla: With Nuggets feeling heat of championship pressure, is it put up or shut up time for coach Michael Malone?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:48 GMT

OK, you nattering NBA knuckleheads, make up your fickle minds. Are these dudes from Denver championship frauds or too talented to waste another MVP year of two-time MVP Nikola Jokic’s career?Stuck in the crossfire of this noise is coach Michael Malone. Help me out here, please. Are our gritty, little Nuggets the least scary No. 1 seed in league history? Or does Malone deserve to lose his job if Denver gets bounced early from the playoffs? It can’t be both.“I hate to break it to you guys. I don’t watch TV. I don’t read the paper. The pressure that I have I put on myself. You’re never going to put pressure on me. This is my job. This is my livelihood. I love my job,” Malone said last week.Contrary to his see-no-evil, hear-no-evil protest, Malone does feel pressure to deliver a championship. The urgency to win it all begins at the top, with Nuggets ownership.While Stan Kroenke has never been reluctant to reach into his deep pockets to fund the pursuit of a trophy, history suggests he h...

Kurtenbach: Sacramento brought cowbells, light beams, and an NBA Finals-like atmosphere to Warriors-Kings Game 1

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:48 GMT

SACRAMENTO — Have you ever heard the sound of 17 years of frustration and anticipation being released?It sounds like thousands of ringing cowbells.Saturday’s Game 1 between the Warriors and Sacramento Kings was the biggest sporting event in the capital city in a generation, and to be in the vicinity of the Kings’ downtown arena was to be bombarded with that fact — and the sound of those cowbells.Given the short commute from the Bay, there was speculation that Sacramento’s arena would become the Blue-and-Golden 1 Center.The absurd cost of tickets listed on the secondary market — Front Office Sports reported that prices were the highest for a non-Finals game in league history — further suggested a Bay wave.But that was not the reality.If there was any blue in the crowd, it was just as likely to come from a Kings fan in a 1980s-style throwback jersey.That said, the atmosphere was NBA Finals-caliber. My Apple Watch wouldn’t stop telling me I needed to exit the ar...

NBA playoffs live updates: Wiggins, Looney lift Warriors to halftime lead in Game 1 vs. Kings

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:48 GMT

To view the live updates on your mobile device click here.GAME ESSENTIALS: Warriors (44-38) at Kings (48-34) at Golden1 Center, at 5:30 p.m. (PT). TV: ABC. Announcers: Mark Jones (play-by-play), Doris Burke (color commentary), Malika Andrews (sideline reporting).ODDS: Kings -1.5. OVER/UNDER: 237.5.SEASON SERIES: Warriors went 3-1 against the Kings in the regular season. ALL-TIME SERIES: Warriors lead 215-193. PLAYOFF HISTORY: None.For the first time since the Kings franchise moved to Sacramento in 1985, the Golden State Warriors and the Kings will face off in an all-Northern California playoff series.The Warriors and Kings will kick off the first round series on Saturday evening up in Sacramento, which has left the region palpably excited. Interestingly, it’s the defending champion Warriors who enter the series as favorites to win, despite Sacramento being the better team in the regular season and the favorite on Saturday.For Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson (an...

Knicks edge Cavs; Celtics, 76ers roll to open NBA playoffs

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:48 GMT

CLEVELAND (AP) — Jalen Brunson shook off foul trouble and scored 21 of his 27 in the second half, Julius Randle returned from an ankle injury to add 19 and the New York Knicks welcomed Cleveland back to the NBA playoffs by holding off the Cavaliers 101-97 on Saturday night in Game 1.Brunson was limited to nine minutes in the first half, but hit several big shots down the stretch as the Knicks turned back Cleveland’s late rally led by Donovan Mitchell.Mitchell finished with 38 for the Cavs, who returned to the playoff stage for the first time since the 2018 NBA Finals. It’s been a long road back for Cleveland, which wasn’t as hurt by its inexperience as lack of bench production from the bench.Josh Hart added 17 points — and hit a big 3-pointer down the stretch — for New York, whose reserves outscored the Cavs 37-14.Jarrett Allen had 14 points and 14 rebounds for Cleveland.Game 2 is Tuesday at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.CELTICS 112, HAWKS 99BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown had 29 points and...

US to face rival Canada in gold medal game at women’s worlds

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:48 GMT

BRAMPTON, Ontario (AP) — Aware of the likelihood of once again facing Canada in the gold medal game of the women’s world hockey championships, United States captain Hilary Knight was quick to take the pressure off her team by suggesting the Americans shouldn’t be favored.“I feel like we’re the underdogs, so we definitely have a chip to our game,” Knight said after scoring twice in a 9-1 rout of the Czech Republic in the first of two tournament semifinals on Saturday. “We never feel like we’re on top.”Not so fast, Canada captain Marie-Philip Poulin said after Sarah Fillier scored three times in a 5-1 semifinal win over Switzerland to ensure the cross-border rivals would meet on Sunday for the 21st time in 22 world tournaments.“We’ll see tomorrow. I feel it’s going to be a battle either way,” Poulin said. “We all train for the same reason. You want to get that gold medal and we’re all aware of that. … And it’s going to be a battle all day.”The Canadians are the two-time de...

Oklahoma women win second straight NCAA gymnastics title

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:48 GMT

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Trinity Thomas of Florida tied the all-time record with her 28th career perfect-10 and Oklahoma won its second consecutive team title — the top-ranked Sooner’ sixth in the last nine years — Saturday at the NCAA women’s gymnastics championships. Oklahoma finished with 198.3875 points, 0.15 ahead of Thomas and the second-ranked Gators. Audrey Davis scored a 9.900 on the floor before teammate Jordan Bowers — who soared high on a double pike during a spectacular routine — earned the event’s top score of 9.950 to help the Sooners take control. Thomas, a fifth-year senior, was limited to just two events due to an leg injury suffered two weeks ago in the regional round, recorded her fifth career 10 on the vault and 28th overall to match the mark set by Jamie Dantzcher (UCLA, 2000-04) and Jenny Hansen (Kentucky, 1992-96) — the latter of whom is the only person to win three straight all-around titles. Thomas wrapped up her stellar collegiate career ...

Brunson, Randle push Knicks past Cavaliers 101-97 in Game 1

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:48 GMT

CLEVELAND (AP) — Jalen Brunson shook off foul trouble and scored 21 of his 27 in the second half, Julius Randle returned from an ankle injury to add 19 and the New York Knicks welcomed Cleveland back to the NBA playoffs by holding off the Cavaliers 101-97 on Saturday night in Game 1.Brunson was limited to nine minutes in the first half, but hit several big shots down the stretch as the Knicks turned back Cleveland’s late rally led by Donovan Mitchell.Randle was questionable up until pregame warmups, when he tested the left ankle he sprained two weeks ago. The All-Star forward looked like himself while pacing the Knicks, who fell behind 93-92 with 2:12 left.With Mitchell making plays all over the floor, the Cavs were within 99-97 in the final seconds when Brunson missed a pull-up, but Randle grabbed his 10th rebound and passed to Quentin Grimes, who was fouled with four seconds left.Grimes made both free throws as the Knicks finished off the Cavs and disappointed a raucous, tow...

NHRA Pairings

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:48 GMT

SaturdayAt The Strip at Las Vegas Motor SpeedwayLas VegasPairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.Top Fuel1. Brittany Force, 3.697 seconds, 335.73 mph. 2. Steve Torrence, 3.712, 330.23 vs. 15. Buddy Hull, 5.093, 136.75. 3. Mike Salinas, 3.729, 331.77 vs. 14. Krista Baldwin, 4.195, 271.52. 4. Justin Ashley, 3.730, 330.63 vs. 13. Rob Passey, 4.133, 260.31. 5. Leah Pruett, 3.746, 328.78 vs. 12. Austin Prock, 3.848, 315.27. 6. Shawn Langdon, 3.754, 326.24 vs. 11. Clay Millican, 3.787, 326.56. 7. Josh Hart, 3.758, 330.72 vs. 10. Doug Kalitta, 3.780, 328.38. 8. Tony Schumacher, 3.763, 325.77 vs. 9. Antron Brown, 3.769, 333.Funny Car1. Cruz Pedregon, 3.910, 326.71 vs. 16. Steven Densham, 4.082, 284.09. 2. Alexis DeJoria, 3.933, 329.18 vs. 15. Jason Rupert, 4.054, 312.93. 3. Matt Hagan, 3.936, 327.82 vs. 14. Jeff Diehl, 4.049, 275.28. 4. Ron Capps, 3.937, 324.05 vs. 13. Chad Green, 4.040, 312.42. 5. Bob Tasca III, 3.938, 325.69 vs. 12. Blake ...

Prince George’s Co. animal shelter hosts free adoption event

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:48 GMT

If you’ve been looking for the purr-fect pet, then now is the time to adopt a dog or cat from Prince George’s County Animal Shelter, where pet adoptions are free through the end of April.During the free adoption event in March, almost 180 cats and dogs were adopted from the Prince George’s County Animal Services Facility and Adoption Center. That’s a 380% increase in pet adoptions over the same time last year, according to the adoption center.More Maryland NewsMore Prince George’s County NewsThe free adoptions have been made possible with a $50,000 grant from the national welfare organization Best Friends Animal Society.Andrea Crooms, director of the Department of the Environment, said in a press release that the department is encouraging anyone in search of a pet to take advantage of the free adoption event by April 30.“We’re excited to partner with Best Friends Animal Society to help us reduce the County’s shelter population and find loving homes for ...

NHRA Four-Wide Nationals

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:48 GMT

SaturdayAt The Strip at Las Vegas Motor SpeedwayLas VegasSunday’s first round pairingsTop Fuel1. Brittany Force, 3.697 seconds, 335.73 mph vs. Bye vs. vs. 8. Tony Schumacher, 3.763, 327.11 vs. 9.Antron Brown, 3.769, 333.00; 2. Steve Torrence, 3.712, 331.53 vs. 15. Buddy Hull, 5.093, 136.75 vs. 7.Josh Hart, 3.758, 330.72 vs. 10. Doug Kalitta, 3.780, 328.38; 3. Mike Salinas, 3.729, 331.77 vs. 14.Krista Baldwin, 4.195, 271.52 vs. 6. Shawn Langdon, 3.754, 326.24 vs. 11. Clay Millican, 3.787, 329.34;4. Justin Ashley, 3.730, 330.88 vs. 13. Rob Passey, 4.133, 260.31 vs. 5. Leah Pruett, 3.746, 329.26 vs.12. Austin Prock, 3.848, 315.27. Funny Car1. Cruz Pedregon, Dodge Charger, 3.910, 326.71 vs. 16. Steven Densham, Ford Mustang, 4.082, 284.09 vs. 8. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.967, 312.06 vs. 9. Bobby Bode, Mustang, 3.976, 273.55; 2. AlexisDeJoria, Toyota Supra, 3.933, 329.18 vs. 15. Jason Rupert, Mustang, 4.054, 317.87 vs. 7. John Force,Chevy Camaro, 3.945, 324.83 vs. 10. Paul Lee, Char...