NBA Cup play on Friday nights might be my new favourite thing. The Sacramento Kings bring their high powered offence to Portland for a bout between two teams all but eliminated from bracket contention. That doesn’t mean we won’t get a fun game of basketball.

Game Information

• Moda Center Portland, OR
• Trail Blazers (7-12) hosting the Kings (9-10)
• Previous Matchup: Sacramento Kings @ Portland Trail Blazers (111 – 98) October 28th, 2024

All NBA Emirates Cup odds are courtesy of BetOnline 

Sacramento Kings @ Portland Trail Blazers

The King come into this game winless in group play and share West Group A with their hosts for the evening. Their chances at lifting the cup are all but dashed.

Portland has a glimmer of hope having split their first two group play games. However, they have an uphill battle with a -14 point differential. If they can win this game big they could potentially sneak into the wildcard but that is very unlikely.

Game Analysis

The Kings will look to build momentum against a bottom ten defence in the association. They won against a struggling Timberwolves squad but had lost 4 straight prior. Their newly formed big three has shown growing pains but they’ve also flashed their potential. This should be a matchup where they take care of business if they really do see themselves as contenders out West.

This is a spot where good NBA teams come in on the road and win like they are supposed to but then again Portland is 29th in offensive rating and yet somehow have 7 wins.

The Kings’ Demar Derozan predicted this team would make the Western Conference Finals. If this team really sees itself like that then they need to take care of business in this spot. Portland is middle of the pack in defending the 2 and that is where their stars shine. The Kings could use this game to gain some confidence.

Pesky Portland League Pass Darlings

25 of them thangs for Ant 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/aZBKA5cZP0

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) November 28, 2024

All that being said, I would not want to bet against the Blazers, that’s because they play with pace and make plays on defence. The Kings have looked shaky. This game should be good for player props as the game should go over its total. Anfernee Simons should come ready to play having just hit 6 threes against the Pacers. He will be excited to play against this porous perimeter defence.

Pesky Portland is my league pass darling for the last two years. Their young group of centres have been in and out of the lineup as well as some of their longer tenured players. Portland’s only path to victory here is to force turnovers, execute in transition, and of course – hit their shots. 

The Blazers struggle to shoot the three (25th) but the Kings bleed points from beyond the arc allowing their opponents to shoot 37.9% (27th). If Shaedon Sharpe and Anfernee Simons can get hot shooting then the Blazers could stick around. Then you get a good game from Grant and the upset is in play. I haven’t even mentioned Scoot, Deni, DA, or even Cling Kong. God, I love this team.

Best Bet Player Prop: Domantas Sabonis o18.5 Assists & Rebounds (-130)

No matter who starts, or sees time in the rotation, I think Domantas has every advantage in this game. The big bruiser has managed to hit this line in 17 of his last 19 games against bottom 10 NBA defences. The Blazers are bottom 5 in both offensive and defensive rebounds allowed so Sabonis should clean the glass on both ends. Additionally, Portland is top 5 in points in the paint allowed, we should see offensive rebounds for quick kick out threes.

Bonus Bet for Peepin the Scribles: Portland +4.5 (-110)

Key Injuries and Insights

• Donovan Clingan: day to day (Knee)
• Matisse Thybulle: day to day (ankle)
• Kris Murray: day to day (sternum)
• Jerami Grant: day to day (knee)
• Robert Williams III: day to day (concussion).
• Trey Lyles: out (calf)
• Devin Carter: out (shoulder)
• DeMar DeRozan: day to day (back)
• Target player props in this one: Sacramento has been allowing 114 ppg to opponents in their last ten and Portland is no better!
• Deni Avdija’s minutes are trending up as he’s gaining the coaching staff’s confidence
• De’Aaron Fox has had multiple 30 points games in his career against Anfernee Simons

Thanks for reading!

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