Kings at Trail Blazers
THE STORY: The Portland Trail Blazers should be thrilled to
return to the Rose Garden despite an arduous upcoming schedule. That’s
because Portland, which is 6-1 at home, went 2-4 in its first extended
road trip. In the first game of a back-to-back-to-back, Portland hosts
Sacramento on Monday and Memphis on Tuesday before playing at Golden
State on Wednesday. The difficult stretch is part of five games in six
nights. “We haven't played well, and the record on this trip shows
that,” Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan said after a 94-91 loss
Saturday at lowly Detroit. Portland has won 11 of the last 12 meetings
with the Kings, including five of the last six in Portland. The Trail
Blazers' 101-79 victory over Sacramento on Dec. 27 was their most
lopsided victory this season. Gerald Wallace scored 25 and LaMarcus
Aldridge 24 in that game, but Wallace could miss Monday's contest
because of a sprained right middle finger.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, CS Sacramento (Kings), CS Northwest (Trail Blazers)
ABOUT THE KINGS (6-11):
Sacramento had its worst setback of the season in a 128-95 loss to
Memphis on Saturday. Forward John Salmons missed the game with the flu,
but should play Monday. Still Sacramento is coming into Monday’s game
with a depleted lineup. The Kings will likely be without guard Marcus
Thornton, who played only 15 minutes against Memphis before leaving with
a thigh injury. The Kings also expect to be without forward Chuck Hayes
(separated shoulder). Hayes has missed nine games, but could return
Wednesday against Denver.
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (9-7): Wallace
had his best shooting game of the season against Sacramento, going 8 of
11 for 25 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Wallace missed Saturday’s
game at Detroit despite participating in warmups after spraining his
finger Friday at Toronto. “I always want to play, dude. I was dressed,”
Wallace said. McMillan said it was his decision to keep Wallace out
after the pregame shootaround and because his finger was too painful and
too swollen.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Kings are 2-8 on the road, getting outscored by an average of 24.0 points in the eight losses.
2. The Trail Blazers have a commanding 46-10 record against the Sacramento Kings in Portland.
3. Kings center DeMarcus Cousins has recorded a double-double in eight of the last 10 games.