SACRAMENTO -- After completing a three-game road trip, the Kings have a brief stop at home Tuesday evening before heading right back out on the road. Waiting for the Kings are the Portland Trail Blazers who sit two and a half games ahead of them in the race for the eighth and final playoff spot.
Sacramento dropped a tough one in Dallas on Sunday. DeMarcus Cousins put up big numbers, but Ty Lawson was the only other player to score in double-figures, finishing the evening with 10.
The Trail Blazers are coming off an embarrassing 45 point loss to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday evening and they have lost six of their last seven. Portland’s defense surrenders 113 points a game, which ranks 28th in the league.
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OPENING LINE
Trail Blazers by 1
MATCHUP TO WATCH
DeMarcus Cousins vs. Meyers Leonard -- Leonard knows how to get under Cousins’ skin and stay there for the entire night. The 7-footer loves to stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting, but he should be no match for Cousins in the post. Cousins is fresh off a big game in Dallas where he posted 33 points and six rebounds, but it didn’t amount to a victory. Cousins needs to keep his cool and avoid picking up his tenth technical of the season against pesky player that loves to get in his head.
NBA
WHERE THEY STAND
Kings: 10-17, third place in Pacific
Trail Blazers: 13-16, third place in Northwest
INJURY REPORT
Kings: SF Rudy (hip flexor) out, SF Omri Casspi (illness) out.
Trail Blazers: C Festus Ezeli (knee) out, F Al-Farouq Aminu (back) questionable.
SERIES HISTORY
The Blazers are riding a seven-game winning streak over the Kings, including a 122-120 overtime win in November..During the Sacramento-era, Portland holds an 87-45 advantage and leads the Kings 128-76 all-time.