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The Sacramento Kings were originally set to play the Golden State Warriors in their home opener, but KCRA's Sean Cunningham reported a schedule change, citing sources.
They will host the Portland Trail Blazers at the Golden 1 Center on Friday, Oct. 23. It has been moved one full day from the initial matchup against the Warriors, and the NBA moved the original home matchup into 2027. The home stand against Golden State is on March 10 and April 4, as reported by Cunningham.
This switch could lighten the start of the season, as Sacramento will not play back-to-back divisional contests. It will still start the season against the Los Angeles Clippers unless further changes are made.
The Kings met the Trail Blazers four times last season and were swept. Each loss was close, except the final game, in which they lost by 12 points.
DeMar DeRozan almost led his team to a hard-fought victory in overtime on Dec. 18. He finished the game with 33 points on 10-for-16 shooting, including a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line.
The veteran guard calmly drove toward Sidy Cissoko, initiating contact to get to his spot, turn around and rise over him to nail the lead-taking mid-range jumper. DeRozan gave Sacramento a one-point lead, and one stop was needed to seal the game.
Russell Westbrook guarded Deni Avdija down the stretch with 4.4 seconds left to make a crucial stop. Sacramento's bench thought he made the game-winning stop, coming out on the floor to celebrate, but the referee called a shooting foul.
Avdija went to the free-throw line, made both attempts and pulled the victory for Portland. The Trail Blazers won the second and third matchups by a combined 12 points.
Portland is off a playoff appearance for the first time since 2021; Sacramento could be in for a challenge. Its defense finished with the third-worst defensive rating in NBA history, and did little to address the issue in the offseason.
Avdija is an offensive engine with his consistent rim pressure and high free-throw rate (9.2 FTA). Portland traded for a highlight athlete in Ja Morant, who terrorized defenses with his acrobatic layup package and go-to spin floater in the paint.
The Kings lack the defensive capability to contain perimeter scoring, especially after adding rookie Darius Acuff Jr. with the No. 7 pick. His defense was a weakness many scouts noted in their pre-draft evaluations.
At 6-foot-3, teams can target him by forcing switches and putting him on a bigger player. Avdija, for example, could drive against Acuff or rise over him for a jumper.
It's an early challenge for Sacramento in its home opener. How its defense performs against Portland could be a telltale sign for what's ahead for the team throughout the season.
Continue reading...
They will host the Portland Trail Blazers at the Golden 1 Center on Friday, Oct. 23. It has been moved one full day from the initial matchup against the Warriors, and the NBA moved the original home matchup into 2027. The home stand against Golden State is on March 10 and April 4, as reported by Cunningham.
This switch could lighten the start of the season, as Sacramento will not play back-to-back divisional contests. It will still start the season against the Los Angeles Clippers unless further changes are made.
The Kings met the Trail Blazers four times last season and were swept. Each loss was close, except the final game, in which they lost by 12 points.
DeMar DeRozan almost led his team to a hard-fought victory in overtime on Dec. 18. He finished the game with 33 points on 10-for-16 shooting, including a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line.
The veteran guard calmly drove toward Sidy Cissoko, initiating contact to get to his spot, turn around and rise over him to nail the lead-taking mid-range jumper. DeRozan gave Sacramento a one-point lead, and one stop was needed to seal the game.
Russell Westbrook guarded Deni Avdija down the stretch with 4.4 seconds left to make a crucial stop. Sacramento's bench thought he made the game-winning stop, coming out on the floor to celebrate, but the referee called a shooting foul.
Avdija went to the free-throw line, made both attempts and pulled the victory for Portland. The Trail Blazers won the second and third matchups by a combined 12 points.
Portland is off a playoff appearance for the first time since 2021; Sacramento could be in for a challenge. Its defense finished with the third-worst defensive rating in NBA history, and did little to address the issue in the offseason.
Avdija is an offensive engine with his consistent rim pressure and high free-throw rate (9.2 FTA). Portland traded for a highlight athlete in Ja Morant, who terrorized defenses with his acrobatic layup package and go-to spin floater in the paint.
The Kings lack the defensive capability to contain perimeter scoring, especially after adding rookie Darius Acuff Jr. with the No. 7 pick. His defense was a weakness many scouts noted in their pre-draft evaluations.
At 6-foot-3, teams can target him by forcing switches and putting him on a bigger player. Avdija, for example, could drive against Acuff or rise over him for a jumper.
It's an early challenge for Sacramento in its home opener. How its defense performs against Portland could be a telltale sign for what's ahead for the team throughout the season.
Continue reading...
