Nuggets fall to Jazz in road finale as starters watch fourth quarter

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:07:22 GMT

Nuggets fall to Jazz in road finale as starters watch fourth quarter SALT LAKE CITY – Motivation can be a cruel-and-fickle mistress.Technically, the Nuggets didn’t have anything to play for Saturday afternoon, having already clinched the No. 1 seed in the West. Yet the decision to trot out their regular starters suggested otherwise.A slow, disconcerting start gave way to a more promising finish even if Denver’s reserves faltered in the fourth quarter. The Nuggets finished the road portion of the regular season with a 118-114 loss, dropping their record to 52-29.Denver ends its regular season on Sunday, at home against Sacramento, in front of their fans. Considering that Denver’s starters all played three quarters, there’s no telling what Sunday’s depth chart might look like.MVP Nikola Jokic took just five shots but impacted the game in myriad ways. His 10-rebound, 10-assist double-double suggested his recent calf injury wasn’t too alarming. Jamal Murray, despite a nagging thumb injury, buried 20 points and dished five assists. On numerous occas...

Kiszla: At age 82, Bill McCartney refuses surrender to Alzheimer’s and still hates the Cornhuskers: “Better dead than red.”

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:07:22 GMT

Kiszla: At age 82, Bill McCartney refuses surrender to Alzheimer’s and still hates the Cornhuskers: “Better dead than red.” BOULDER – Wearing bright red gloves, Bill McCartney stared at the hands responsible for building a football dynasty at Colorado and confessed his sin.“Better red than dead,” McCartney told me, chuckling at the memory of his trademark battle cry, which long ago turned the Buffaloes into a national power that feared no one on the football field, least of all the dreaded Big Red of Nebraska.Coach Mac, now 82 years old and gaunt in the way age can slowly diminish even a strong man, inspected the red gloves like a detective solving a mystery. “These gloves? My bad. You got me,” he said.With a wry smile, McCartney looked as if maybe somebody had placed the gloves on his hands to prank a legendary coach that gleefully thumped the Cornhuskers 27-12 in 1990 on Colorado’s journey to the lone national championship in program history.“If you could beat Nebraska, you could beat ‘em all,” said McCartney, explaining why he created a rivalry the Huskers never wanted.A bona fide CU legen...

SF Giants: Bullpen meltdown overshadows historic outing by Sean Manaea

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:07:22 GMT

SF Giants: Bullpen meltdown overshadows historic outing by Sean Manaea SAN FRANCISCO — It was almost a big day for the Giants’ offseason acquisitions on Saturday.Sean Manaea was masterful in six innings of one-run ball. Joc Pederson and Michael Conforto played important roles in the revamped offense.But Ross Stripling, who signed a two-year, $25-million deal with the Giants in December, let it all fall apart while allowing four runs in the late innings as the Royals overcame a four-run deficit to topple the Giants, 6-5, at Oracle Park.The Giants move to 3-5 on the year with one more game against the Royals on Sunday before the Dodgers come to town on Monday.Stripling’s meltdown blew an otherwise historic day for Manaea.There was the 97 mph heater Manaea threw in the second inning that marked the hardest pitch he’s ever thrown in a game he’s started. There were eight strikeouts and six innings of one-run ball. And there was the history he made with catcher Blake Sabol as the two formed Major League Baseball’s first-ever Samoan battery.The outing w...

Familiar script plays out for Sharks in blowout loss to McDavid, Edmonton Oilers

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:07:22 GMT

Familiar script plays out for Sharks in blowout loss to McDavid, Edmonton Oilers SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks wanted to finish off its home schedule on a positive note Saturday and see Erik Karlsson score two points to etch his name alongside some of the NHL’s all-time greatest offensive defensemen.Neither happened, as the Sharks fell behind by three on goals by Connor McDavid, Zach Hyman, and Derek Ryan and never recovered in a 6-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday in San Jose’s final game of the season at SAP Center.McDavid’s goal was his NHL-best 63rd of the season and also gave him a league-leading 150 points, as he became the first player to reach that mark since Mario Lemieux had 161 for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1995-96.The goals by McDavid and Ryan came off Sharks turnovers, something that has plagued them all season, particularly at home.Logan Couture and Thomas Bordeleau couldn’t connect on a pass and turned the puck over as the Sharks tried to exit the zone. Shortly after, after a scramble in front of the Sharks’ net, McDavid was left alone a...

Magnitude 3.1 earthquake strikes outside Healdsburg

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:07:22 GMT

Magnitude 3.1 earthquake strikes outside Healdsburg A magnitude 3.1 earthquake struck Saturday afternoon outside of Healdsburg.The quake hit at 2:25 p.m. about five miles northwest of The Geysers geothermal field in the Mayacamas Mountains in eastern Sonoma County, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It had a depth of less than half a mile below ground, the agency said.There were no immediate reports of damage.Related ArticlesNews | Before an earthquake: How to set up a family plan and make your house safer News | Earthquake kits: What to put in a go-bag, plus what supplies to keep at home and in the car News | Magnitude 4.7 earthquake rattles Bay Area, Central Coast News | Quake talk addresses damage done to Winchester Mystery House in 1906 News | Series of small earthquakes rattle Oakland hills, East Bay  

Photos: Annual parade and egg hunts help to kick-off Easter celebrations in the Bay Area

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:07:22 GMT

Photos: Annual parade and egg hunts help to kick-off Easter celebrations in the Bay Area Families lined the streets in downtown Campbell for the Bunnies & Bonnets Parade on Saturday. Performers, classic cars, local groups and more made their way along Campbell Avenue for the annual parade, now in its 22nd year.Danville’s Eggstravaganza egg hunt hosted local children all racing to collect treasure-filled eggs at the Danville Community Center. Along with the egg hunt the family friendly event offered face painting, arts and crafts pictures with the Spring Bunny and more.An Imperial stormtrooper high fives children in the crowd during The 22nd Annual Bunnies and Bonnets Parade on Campbell Avenue in Campbell, Calif., Saturday, April 8, 2023. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) Sara Nakatsu, 15, of San Jose, performs with the Valley Baton Club during The 22nd Annual Bunnies and Bonnets Parade on Campbell Avenue in Campbell, Calif., Saturday, April 8, 2023. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) Serena Rodriguez, of Campbell, skates representing Dotties Roller ...

McDavid reaches 150-point milestone; Oilers beat Sharks 6-1

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:07:22 GMT

McDavid reaches 150-point milestone; Oilers beat Sharks 6-1 SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Connor McDavid became the first player in 27 years to reach 150 points in a season when he had two goals and an assist in the Edmonton Oilers’ 6-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.McDavid set up Ryan Nugent-Hopkins early in the first period for his 87th assist and scored with 1:44 left in the first period for his 63rd goal to reach the milestone last achieved by Mario Lemieux when he scored 161 points in 1995-96.McDavid added another goal late in the third period to give him 64 goals and 151 points with two games remaining in the regular season.McDavid became just the sixth player ever to record 150 points in a season, joining Wayne Gretzky (nine times), Lemieux (four times), Phil Esposito, Steve Yzerman and Bernie Nichols. Zach Hyman, Derek Ryan and Philip Broberg also scored to help the Oilers win their seventh straight game. Edmonton, which began the day three points ahead of third-place Los Angeles in the Pacific Division, closed in on c...

Clippers beat Blazers to bolster hopes of avoiding play-in

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:07:22 GMT

Clippers beat Blazers to bolster hopes of avoiding play-in LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 27 points, Norman Powell added 23 and the Los Angeles Clippers solidified their hopes of avoiding the play-in game with a 136-125 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday.Russell Westbrook had 20 points for the Clippers, who have won four of their last six and hold the fifth spot in the Western Conference.Wins by LA and Minnesota on Saturday ensured the Clippers can finish no lower than seventh. Their best hope of avoiding the play-in game though is beating Phoenix on Sunday in what could be a preview of a first-round series.Kevin Knox II had 30 points, Shaedon Sharpe 26 and Trendon Watford 24 for the Trail Blazers, who have dropped three straight and eight of their last nine.Portland led 70-64 at halftime before the Clippers went on a 14-2 run early in the third quarter to gain control. The Trail Blazers rallied to get within 86-85 on a 3-pointer by Knox before the Clippers put it away for good with a 23-7 spurt.Leonard had 13 poin...

NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying Race 1 Results

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:07:22 GMT

NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying Race 1 Results SaturdayAt Bristol Motor Speedway DirtBristol, Tenn.Lap length: 0.53 miles(Start position in parentheses)1. (5) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 15 laps, 0 points.2. (6) Tyler Reddick, Toyota, 15, 0.3. (8) Christopher Bell, Toyota, 15, 0.4. (2) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, 15, 0.5. (1) Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Chevrolet, 15, 0.6. (4) Justin Haley, Chevrolet, 15, 0.7. (10) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 15, 0.8. (7) Josh Berry, Chevrolet, 15, 0.9. (9) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 15, 0.10. (3) BJ McLeod, Chevrolet, 15, 0.___Race Statistics were not immediately available.___NASCAR Driver Rating FormulaA maximum of 150 points can be attained in a race.The formula combines the following categories: Wins, Finishes, Top-15 Finishes, Average Running Position While on Lead Lap, Average Speed Under Green, Fastest Lap, Led Most Laps, Lead-Lap Finish.Source

Swanson’s injury a concern as US downs Ireland 2-0

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:07:22 GMT

Swanson’s injury a concern as US downs Ireland 2-0 AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Emily Fox and Lindsey Horan both scored for the United States in a 2-0 victory Saturday over Ireland that was marred by what appeared to be a serious left knee injury to Mallory Swanson.Swanson was carted off the field at Q2 Stadium and was taken to a hospital. She was the team’s leading scorer this year with seven goals as the United States prepares for the Women’s World Cup this summer.The match also marked the return of midfielder Julie Ertz, who had not played for the United States since the Tokyo Olympics.The second of two matches against Ireland was set for Tuesday in St. Louis. The games are the final chance that U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski will have to evaluate his players before he must select a 23-player roster for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.The United States fought off a barrage of shots in the 24th minute before Fox scored in the 37th with a low blast through a pair of defenders into the far corner of Ireland’s goal...