The Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings are entering the 2022-23 NBA season in a similar boat. Both teams are looking to climb back into the postseason picture in the Western Conference after a down 2021-22 season. Alas, there is one major difference between the two franchises.
Portland bottomed out last season with a plan in place to rebuild the roster around Damian Lillard this past off-season. Sacramento hasn’t made the playoffs in an NBA record 16 seasons and is desperate to snap that streak.
Their quest to make the playoffs for the first time in nearly two decades begin tonight against the Trail Blazers and we have you covered with all of the things you need to be prepared for the game.
How To Watch Portland Trail Blazers vs Sacramento Kings
Date: October 19th, 2022
Time: 10:00 PM ET
Location: Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, CA
TV Channel: ROOT Sports Plus (POR), NBC Sports (SAC)
Radio: Rip City Radio 620 AM (POR), Sactown Sports 1140 AM (SAC)
Injury Report For Portland Trail Blazers vs Sacramento Kings
Portland Trail Blazers Injury Report: Gary Payton II – Out (Return To Competition Conditioning), Olivier Sarr – Out (Right Wrist Sprain), Trendon Watford – Out (Right Hip Flexor Strain)
Sacramento Kings Injury Report: Kevin Huerter – Questionable (Left Ankle Soreness), Keegan Murray – Out (COVID-19 Protocols)
Expected Starting Lineups For Portland Trail Blazers vs Sacramento Kings
Portland Trail Blazers Expected Starting Lineup: G Damian Lillard, G Anfernee Simons, F Josh Hart, F Jerami Grant, C Jusuf Nurkic
Sacramento Kings Expected Starting Lineup: G De’Aaron Fox, G Kevin Huerter, F KZ Okpala, F Harrison Barnes, C Domantas Sabonis
Betting Odds For Portland Trail Blazers vs Sacramento Kings
Spread: Kings -2.5
Over/Under Total: 228.5 Points
Moneylines: Trail Blazers +115, Kings -140
Fans of the Portland Trail Blazers and the organization as a whole have to be excited about having Damian Lillard back in the lineup.
After dealing with an abdomen issue for a few years, he is feeling great heading into the 2022-23 season. This season, he will have some new running mates as Chauncey Billups hopes to turn things around, especially on the defensive end of the court.
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The Sacramento Kings are looking different as well. Mike Brown will be making his debut as head coach, the first time that he will be leading a team since a second, one-year stint with the Cleveland Browns during the 2013-14 season. His defensive principles are something the Kings desperately need as this game could be lower-scoring than predicted.
This matchup lost some of its luster with Keegan Murray not being able to be cleared because he is in the league’s COVID-19 Protocols. His NBA debut will have to wait until at least Saturday when the Kings face the LA Clippers.
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