Where do the Ducks go from here?

The Anaheim Ducks have badly struggled this season. Why has that been the case, and where do they go from here?

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1. Where do the Ducks go from here?

The Anaheim Ducks have badly struggled this season. Why has that been the case, and where do they go from here? The Sporting Tribune’s Felix Sicard tries to provide some answers.

The Anaheim Ducks are the worst team in the National Hockey League. The same National Hockey League that the Arizona Coyotes and their thinly veiled tanking efforts play in. The Ducks are dead last in the standings with 17 points in 30 games, a 46-point pace over the course of 82 games. That 46-point mark would be the lowest in franchise history in an 82-game season by a whopping 19-point margin, as the record for lowest points in a season is currently held by the 1997-98 (then Mighty) Ducks with 65.

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2. Bronny James and Kiyan Anthony run it back 20 years later

20 years after their fathers squared off, Sierra Canyon’s Bronny and Bryce James and Christ the King’s Kiyan Anthony did it all over again and The Sporting Tribune’s Wilko Martínez-Cachero was in attendance to file this report.

A New Jersey arena that housed 11,000 people in February 2002 was, instead, a tightly packed high school gym on the outskirts of Los Angeles. Rather than Danny Ainge courtside, it was a smattering of celebrities both inside and outside of the basketball worlds that watched closely on a frigid winter night. LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Scottie Pippen and Lakers guard Scotty Pippen Jr., LaLa Anthony, and Kim and Khloe Kardashian were among those in attendance. The stat sheet was more modest as Sierra Canyon took home the 62-51 win. Bronny finished with 12 points and two big dunks, while Kiyan Anthony scored 8 points on a couple of threes.

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3. Why Gavin Stone is ready to contribute in the big leagues

Gavin Stone could end up playing an important role for the Dodgers in 2023 and The Sporting Tribune’s Bruce Kuntz tells you why.

So far in the offseason, the Dodgers have yet to do much of anything. The departures of Tyler Anderson and Andrew Heaney have left a hole in their starting rotation that will need to be filled. Although they are likely to find a major-league option before spring training, Gavin Stone is among prospects waiting for a chance, and he might find himself in Los Angeles the soonest.

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4. The Clippers will get tested now

The Sporting Tribune's Joey Linn breaks down the Clippers' disappointing road trip and their upcoming home stand that is about to truly test them for the first time all year. Click here to listen.

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5. Evaluating the Ducks' 2022-23 first quarter performance

The 2022-23 season has not been kind to the Anaheim Ducks. The Sporting Tribune’s Derek Lee gives his evaluation of the team at the first quarter mark of the season.

Through 28 games, the Anaheim Ducks sit dead last not only in the Pacific Division but the entire league. Their 7-18-3 record and -50 goal differential include just one regulation win and pair of special teams units that are 31st (second-to-last) among all teams. They concede the highest amount of shots per game (37.5) league-wise by a significant margin and both of their goaltenders currently hold save percentages under .900. Their latest result was a 6-1 drubbing to the 27th-placed San Jose Sharks. There are some positives as well. Troy Terry and Trevor Zegras are on track to outpace their point totals from their breakout performances last season. Mason McTavish is perhaps in the midst of his own this year. Defenseman Cam Fowler, too, has quietly put together a solid offensive campaign. He’s on track to break his career-high in points for the second time in three seasons.

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6. NBA Power Rankings Week 9

The Warriors continue to prove they have the Celtics number, the Lakers and Clippers have trouble winning, and Zion Williamson and the Pelicans could go all the way. Where does your team rank? The Sporting Tribune’s Brandon Deutsch has you covered in this week’s NBA Power Rankings.

The Lakers went 3-3 on their road trip with impressive wins against the Bucks and Wizards, but gut-wrenching losses to the 76ers (in overtime) and Cavaliers. The Lakers have a tough time closing out games as evident in the embarrassing loss in overtime to the 76ers (when they had the game won) and the numerous occasions already this season where they have blown a late lead (most notably to the Blazers and Pacers). Anthony Davis (27.7 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game with a TS% of 66.5) continues to be an MVP candidate and the heart and soul of this Lakers team. Without him, the team would have just 2-3 wins on the season.

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7. Odds and Ends presented by Circa Sports

Here are some odds at Circa Sports if you’re thinking about placing a wager today:

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8. Ticket Time presented by TickPick  

Here are the “get in” prices for tickets if you’re thinking about going to a game today:

Phoenix Suns at LA Clippers: $13

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9. On the Air presented by Pirnia Law

Here are the game times and television channels for professional teams in the region today:

4:00 p.m. - Los Angeles Kings at Boston Bruins - Bally Sports West

4:00 p.m. - Anaheim Ducks at Montreal Canadians - Bally Sports SoCal

7:30 p.m. - Phoenix Suns at LA Clippers - Bally Sports SoCal

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10. The Arash Markazi Show presented by The Sporting Tribune 

On Wednesday’s show, the crew talked about the Lakers’ collapse against the Celtics.

Listen to The Arash Markazi Show presented by The Sporting Tribune on The Mightier 1090 ESPN Radio in Southern California, 98.5 The Fan in Las Vegas and the Hawaii Sports Radio Network 95.1 FM and 760 AM in Hawaii. You can also listen to the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play and Stitcher.

Thank you for reading. Please click below to subscribe to The Morning Column presented by The Sporting Tribune. It’s totally free and will be delivered to your inbox every morning.

That’s it for today. We’re taking Friday off for the holidays. Talk to you all on Monday!