The Portland Trail Blazers play host to the Sacramento Kings at the Moda Center on Friday night. Here’s a Portland Trail Blazers vs Sacramento Kings Prediction. This article will include a Portland Trail Blazers vs Sacramento Kings Pick.
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings have been doing it tough lately as they’ve lost five of their last seven games overall, but they will be eager to build some momentum after snapping a four-game slide with a 115-104 road win over the Timberwolves on Wednesday. Domantas Sabonis led the team with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists, Malik Monk provided the spark off the bench with 27 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists while De’Aaron Fox chipped in with 26 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists.
As a team, the Kings shot 48 percent from the field and 12 of 37 from the 3-point line they looked to be in trouble when they squandered a 14-point lead, but they made up for it in the fourth quarter where they outscored the Timberwolves by 34-18 to win comfortably in the end.
Portland Trail Blazers
Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers have been in a rut as they’ve lost four of their last five games overall and they will be hoping to avoid a third straight defeat after getting beaten by the Pacers in a 121-114 road defeat on Wednesday. Anfernee Simons led the team with 30 points and six assists on 10 of 21 shooting, Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson each scored 17 points while Deandre Ayton chipped in with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks.
As a team, the Trail Blazers shot 50 percent from the field and 16 of 35 from the 3-point line as they kept pace with the Pacers in a tightly contested first half, but their hard work went to waste in the third quarter where they allowed the Pacers to pour in 36 points to have them trailing by 13 points.
Why the Sacramento Kings will win
- The Trail Blazers have lost each of their last eight games at Moda Center following a road loss.
- The Kings have won each of their last four games against Northwest Division opponents that held a losing record.
- The road team has covered the spread in six of the Kings’ last seven games.
- The Trail Blazers have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Trail Blazers’ last five games against Western Conference opponents has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Eight of the Kings’ last 10 night games at Moda Center have gone OVER the total points line.
Portland Trail Blazers Player Facts
- Anfernee Simons ranks 4th in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for FT% (89.1%) this season.
- Toumani Camara ranks 13th amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.6) this season.
Sacramento Kings Player Facts
- Domantas Sabonis ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for rebounds per game (12.8) this season.
- Keon Ellis is one of only four players to have scored 30+ points off the bench in a game this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for opponent steals per game this season (10.3).
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for field goal percentage this season (42.4%).
- The Kings rank 1st in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (3.8).
- The Kings rank 29th in the league for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (15.0).
Portland Trail Blazers vs Sacramento Kings Prediction
The Kings are a little shorthanded with DeMar DeRozan already ruled out, while the Trail Blazers are still missing Jerami Grant and Robert Williams. The Kings have been well below their best lately despite being relatively healthy, but they were able to snap out of a funk with a much-needed win over the Timberwolves on Wednesday and I think they can keep it going with a win and cover at this short line.