The Portland Trail Blazers have entered desperation mode during their attempt to swipe a play-in berth with nine games remaining on their schedule.
The Blazers start a five-game trip Thursday at the Sacramento Kings with little margin for error.
The Kings have problems of their own. Not long ago, they appeared to be a lock to earn a play-in spot. But the ninth-place Kings (35-37) have lost eight of 10 and enter Thursday with a half-game lead over Phoenix (35-38) and Dallas (35-38), tied for 10th.
The Blazers (32-41) trail both by three games. The Suns are off Thursday after losing Wednesday to Boston, while the Mavericks play at Orlando.
The Blazers can win if they take advantage of Sacramento’s weak defense. Over their last 10 games, the Kings rank 28th in defensive rating (124.0) and 24th in offensive rating (112.3).
Prediction: The Kings’ recent struggles have come against some of the best teams in the NBA, including Boston, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, Golden State, the LA Clippers and New York.
The Blazers aren’t on the level of those teams, and the Kings will take advantage of that reality to get a much-needed win.
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PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS AT SACRAMENTO KINGS
What: Trail Blazers (32-41) at Kings (35-37), 7 p.m., Thursday
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento.
Radio: Rip City Radio (KPOJ 620 AM).
TV channel: KATU (Antenna: 2.2 in Portland. Xfinity: 302 and 1170. DirecTV: 688-1. KUNP (Antenna: 47.1. Xfinity: 16, 302, 1170. DirecTV: 47. Spectrum: 184).
How to Watch: Rip City TV Network. If you don’t have cable, you can still watch this game live for FREE with the help of an HDTV antenna on your local ABC affiliate (Charge 2.2 in Portland). These antennas are very easy to install and cost around $20. You can purchase one at your local Bi-Mart or Fred Meyer, or buy one online at Walmart or from Amazon and have it shipped quickly to your home. Here are some instructions on how to set up an HDTV antenna on your television or other display. You can find out more about which channel Rip City TV Network is on in your area by using the channel finder here.
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ODDS (Oregon Lottery/DraftKings)
Moneyline: POR +185 | SAC -225
Spread: POR +5.5 | Over/Under: 226
INJURIES
Blazers: Toumani Camara (left foot soreness) is questionable. Jerami Grant (right knee tendinitis) is doubtful. Deandre Ayton (left calf strain), Robert Williams III (left knee sprain) and Bryce McGowens (right rib fracture) are out.
Kings: Malik Monk (illness), Jake LaRavia (left thumb soreness) and Devin Carter (illness) are questionable.
NEXT UP
The Blazers play at 3 p.m. Sunday at the New York Knicks (45-26).
-- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)