Feb 6, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) grabs a rebound the ball during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Normally, a 7 game homestand would be something to appreciate, but for the Kings it’s been a complete disaster. After two straight wins to start the stretch, the Kings have dropped their last four and are almost on the outside looking in for the Playoffs. Their opponent today, the Portland Trail Blazers, isn’t even that far behind them in the standings, and would be just 2.5 games back with a victory in Sacramento tonight. It’s time for the Kings to get back on the right track and end this homestand like they started it.
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
**When:** Thursday, March 27th, 7:00 PM PT
**Where:** Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
**TV:** NBC Sports California
**Radio****:** Sactown Sports 1140 AM
The Trail Blazers have had a fairly resurgent second half of the season. After starting out 13-28, Portland has since gone 19-13, tied with the Rockets for the 11th best win percentage since January 19th. The Kings on the other hand have gone just 14-17 during that same stretch. Despite considerable interest in some of the teams veteran pieces like Deandre Ayton, Jerami Grant, Robert Williams and Anfernee Simons, the Blazers stood pat at the deadline, putting off any major decisions until the summer while they saw what this roster could do.
What this roster can do apparently is defend the hell out of the ball. Since January 19th, the Blazers have the 4th best defensive rating in the NBA. Portland is the tallest roster in the league, and wings like Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara and Matisse Thybulle (who just made his season debut not too long ago) make it difficult for opposing players to score, especially from the perimeter. Portland allows teams to shoot the 4th most threes, but has the 10th best opponent 3P% since a lot of those looks might not appear as open as they are thanks to quick closeouts and long arms.
The Blazers also do a great job of using their size to get extra possessions on the offensive glass, ranking 3rd in the NBA in Offensive Rebound rate and 4th in second chances. 7’2 Rookie Donovan Clingan has already proven to be an absurd offensive rebounder, averaging 3.1 offensive rebounds a game in just 18.6 minutes a game. With Deandre Ayton still out due to injury, Clingan has been getting more minutes and excelling. In Tuesday’s loss to the Cavaliers against Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, Clingan had 18 points, 12 rebounds (8 offensive) and 3 blocks in just under 32 minutes of action.
Portland also doesn’t rely too heavily on one single scorer, or even two or three like the Kings do. They are more offense by committee, with seven players averaging double digit scoring, but nobody averaging 20 points a game. Simons leads the way with 19.3 points a game on the season, but on any given night it could be Shaedon Sharpe, Deni Avdija, Scoot Henderson or some other Blazers player leading the team in scoring.
The Kings have struggled with Portland this season, losing both of their last two games against them, both being on the road. Simons was the hot hand in the most recent game, scoring 30 points, but Shaedon Sharpe dropped in 24 points off the bench. Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Malik Monk each scored around 22 points, but there wasn’t much help from the rest of the team offensively as the King shot just 42% from the field.
Few teams need a win as badly right now as the Kings do, both for morale and actual standings purposes, but this is hardly a gimme. The Blazers offer real problems for a team like the Kings, especially with their size. This is Sacramento’s last home game until April 9th as they’ll be embarking on a six game homestand after tonight, so ending on a positive note will be key. The Kings will need strong games from their stars, and hopefully Zach LaVine can get back on the right track as he’s been in a rut lately. The Kings still control their destiny when it comes to the Play-In, but losses to teams like Portland could quickly see that go out the window. Let’s protect that home floor.
Prediction
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The Kings seem to do better the more negative I am so…
Blazers 245, Kings 6