Game Thread GAME# 82: KINGS @ BLAZERS - APRIL 10, 2019 - WEDNESDAY, 7:30 PM, NBCSNW

[Darkwebs]

2017-18 REGULAR SEASON RECORD
SACRAMENTO KINGS
39 - 42
(15-25 Road)
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
52 - 29
(31-9 Home)

______________________________
---------WILD-ASS GUESSING THE STARTERS---------

PG

De'AARON FOX VS SETH CURRY

SG

BUDDY HIELD VS RODNEY HOOD

SF

HARRISON BARNES VS MAURICE HARKLESS

PF

NEMANJA BJELICA VS AL-FAROUQ AMINU

C

WILLIE CAULEY-STEIN VS ENES KANTER

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------- JERSEYS -------

---

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WHEN: 7:30 PM (PDT), WEDNESDAY, 4/10/2019

WHERE: Moda Center, Portland, OR

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

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--------------BENCH--------------

-------- SACRAMENTO KINGS --------

MASON III , FERRELL , BOGDANOVIC

BURKS , DEMPS , JOHNSON

BREWER , WILLIAMS , GABRIEL

SWANIGAN , BAGLEY III , KOUFOS

---- PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS ----

SIMONS , TURNER

TRENT Jr. , LAYMAN

LABISSIERE , COLLINS , LEONARD



INJURIES
KINGS
De'Aaron Fox (left ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Kosta Koufos (left calf strain): QUESTIONABLE
Harry Giles (left thigh bruise): OUT
TRAIL BLAZERS
Gary Trent Jr. (gastroenteritis): QUESTIONABLE
Damian Lillard (load management): OUT
CJ McCollum (load management): OUT
Jusuf Nurkic (left leg injury): OUT



HEAD COACHES

- VS –

DAVID JOERGER --- TERRY STOTTS



OFFICIAL KINGS' GAME NOTES
OFFICIAL BLAZERS' GAME NOTES ​

• Wednesday’s game is the third and final meeting between the Trail Blazers and the Kings during the 2018-19 season. The season series is tied, 1-1.

• LAST MEETING: The Kings defeated the Trail Blazers in Sacramento on Jan. 14, 115-107. Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers with 35 points (11-27 FG, 4-12 3-PT, 9-9 FT), three rebounds, five assists and one steal while Buddy Hield led a balanced Sacramento attack with 19 points (7-10 FG, 2-4 3-PT, 3-3 FT) and seven rebounds.

• In two games against the Kings this season, Damian Lillard has averaged 30.0 points (39.6% FG, 23.8% 3-PT, 100% FT), 4.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.00 steal.

• Al-Farouq Aminu had a double-double of 13 points (3-8 FG, 1-2 3-PT, 6-9 FT) and 13 rebounds to go with three assists and two steals at Sacramento on Jan. 14.

• In two games against the Trail Blazers this season, Buddy Hield has averaged 23.0 points (54.5% FG, 58.3% 3-PT, 100% FT), 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists.

• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Trail Blazers lead, 132-79
IN PORTLAND: Trail Blazers lead, 86-18
AT THE KINGS: Kings lead, 61-46

​

 

[THE HCP]

Just got home from the airport. The guys probably won't get home for another 30 minutes. Hope they get some good sleep, its going to be a quick turnaround.

 

[Darkwebs]

This is it. We have arrived at our final home game (and final game, period) of the regular season. This basketball year flew by like a blink of an eye.

This is literally our Season Finale! This is figuratively our Avengers: Endgame! What we know for certain regarding the Blazers in the Playoffs is that we have home-court advantage. Whether we are the 3rd or 4th seed remains to be seen, and this game will go a long way in determining that.

This is the Season Closer, but we have no idea who will play and who will rest. I heard Stotts say (after McCollum's first game back) that CJ would not play in one of the final 2 games because they are back-to-back. Since CJ played against the Lakers, this should mean CJ sits this game out. Then again, maybe Terry (or whoever makes these decisions) will change his mind.

Tonight will be the first return of Biggie to the city that drafted him. Ah, the memories we had. Or should I say, "memory." His one shining moment with the Blazers was helping us win the Summer League Championship against the vile Lakers. Other than that, his short stint with the Blazers was mostly forgettable. I assume the Kings will give Swanigan some playing time since he will be facing his former team (although he didn't get a single minute in the Kings' previous game).

As for the other Sacramento players, this isn't a home game for them and they don't have much incentive to win. But they don't have to rest up for the Playoffs either. So I have no clue what the Kings will do, in terms of rotation.

Finally, it's Fan Appreciation night at the MC, so no matter who is playing on either side, the
Blazers have one job: win one for the fans!

 

[Darkwebs]

WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS RACE

As of 4/9/2019



GAMES THAT ARE GERMANE (O'NEAL) TO PORTLAND'S PLAYOFF POSITIONING

​

SCENARIOS FOR 2ND TO 4TH SEEDS

SCENARIOS FOR 5TH TO 8TH SEEDS

 

[Darkwebs]

From my interpretation, what the tables above tell us is:

• Portland will either be the #3 or #4 seed, and thusly, will have home-court advantage in the First Round (duh, obviously).
• Portland will face either Utah, OKC, or San Antonio in the First Round..
  
• Utah is locked in at the #5 seed.
• The only way Portland gets the #3 seed is if both Denver and Portland wins tonight.
• Even if Portland wins tonight, they may still fall down to the #4 seed (because of the way 3-way tie-breakers work).
• If Portland loses, they will definitely fall to #4 seed and face Utah in the First Round.

• Both the DAL-SAS and OKC-MIL games should be completed or near-completion by the time Portland's game starts (assuming no overtime).

1. If Oklahoma City wins tonight, they will get the #6 seed.
2. If San Antonio loses tonight, Oklahoma City will get the #6 seed.
3. If San Antonio and Oklahoma City both win their respective games, the lower seeds will be locked in as #5 UTA, #6 OKC, #7 SAS, #8 LAC.

• Under any of the numbered, underlined scenarios above, Portland would then have the choice to tank tonight's game IF they want to play Utah/avoid OKC.

 

[Labinot41]

AVOID OKC !!!!!!!!!! If they loose against the Bucks, try to win, if they Win we better loose this game

 

[SIeepwalker]

Man, Williams looks at lot like Brewer !

 

[Darkwebs]

Although there are more scenarios where we face Utah in the Playoffs, if we play to win tonight, one would have to think the more likely outcome is that we face OKC, assuming Denver also plays to win.

Too bad the least likely scenario would also (IMO) be the most favorable: facing San Antonio in the 1st Round. For this to happen, we need all of the following:

• SAS to WIN
• OKC to LOSE
• DEN to WIN
• POR to WIN

It'll be interesting what unfolds tonight at around 7:30 PM, Pacific time. Will the Blazers tank/rest guys to start the game? Will the Blazers tank/rest guys after they find out the winners of the DAL-SAS and MIL-OKC games? Maybe they won't tank at all.

 

[Darkwebs]

Man, Williams looks at lot like Brewer !

Thanks for looking out. Fixed.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

If Portland rests guys, I may well be attending my first Blazers loss in a long, long time.

Oh well, at least there will be bobbleheads.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

If Portland rests guys, I may well be attending my first Blazers loss in a long, long time.

Oh well, at least there will be bobbleheads.

Maybe the young guys can get a W, I have no idea what to expect from Sacramento at this point either.

 

[illmatic99]

Are these bobbleheads for sale somewhere?

 

[illmatic99]

CJ holding up his phone with Nurk's photo makes me so happy and sad at the same time.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Are these bobbleheads for sale somewhere?

No clue--I only heard Jay Allen mentioning something about them on the radio last night.

You want me to see if I can get one for you? I'm willing to ship. Or maybe deliver it personally--I'll be driving through Indiana in a couple months!

 

[illmatic99]

No clue--I only heard Jay Allen mentioning something about them on the radio last night.

You want me to see if I can get one for you? I'm willing to ship. Or maybe deliver it personally--I'll be driving through Indiana in a couple months!

Appreciate the thought-- but it's not worth the hassle! Thanks, though.

 

[illmatic99]

OKC can avoid GS in the first round with a win-- so they'll go all out. Milwaukee has no reason to play anybody of significance. I don't think we'll get any help, so OKC is gonna lock up #6.

Assuming DEN takes care of Minny, it would pretty much boil down to us for picking our opponent. Do we want to go to 3 and face OKC in round 1 (and possibly DEN instead of GS in round 2) or do we want to get 4th and UTA in round 1 (and GS in round 2)?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Appreciate the thought-- but it's not worth the hassle! Thanks, though.

I see--you're afraid to give me your address. Understandable. I'll ship to a UPS store or something.

Seriously though--it's no hassle at all. If I can snag an extra bobble, I'm on it, and I'll send it out to you.

 

[illmatic99]

I see--you're afraid to give me your address. Understandable. I'll ship to a UPS store or something.

Seriously though--it's no hassle at all. If I can snag an extra bobble, I'm on it, and I'll send it out to you.

Awesome! Will PM address if you get it.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Ive just been sitting here reading about the Blazers and thinking about tonights game I forgot something important. I am supposed to go to work today.

Im gonna get on that going to work thing.

 

[TBpup]

CJ is coming off 3 weeks of rest. He said something about sleeping in his own bed. Exactly where has he been sleeping then?

 

[SharpesTriumph]

The two best teams in the conference are GS and HOU. I'd rather see them battle each other in the second round. Being the 3rd seed gives us the best chance of making the WCF. Also gives HCA should we meet Houston in conference finals. I care more about a higher chance of making the WCF than a slightly easier round 1 opponent.

Get the 3rd seed even if it likely means playing OKC in round 1. We killed them last year, the 0-4 record this year is a small sample size, doesn't account for travel, etc. Hell we could lose to any opponent in round 1, SAS or UTA may end up the tougher out than OKC so just get the highest seed we can.

Go Blazers, having a 53-29 record would be a hell of an accomplishment!

 

[illmatic99]

The two best teams in the conference are GS and HOU. I'd rather see them battle each other in the second round. Being the 3rd seed gives us the best chance of making the WCF. Also gives HCA should we meet Houston in conference finals. I care more about a higher chance of making the WCF than a slightly easier round 1 opponent.

Get the 3rd seed even if it likely means playing OKC in round 1. We killed them last year, the 0-4 record this year is a small sample size, doesn't account for travel, etc. Hell we could lose to any opponent in round 1, SAS or UTA may end up the tougher out than OKC so just get the highest seed we can.

Go Blazers, having a 53-29 record would be a hell of an accomplishment!

I agree about getting 3. Also don't think OKC is our toughest opponent.

Paul George is a defensive monster, but the combination of Rubio and Gobert will be nearly impossible for Dame to overcome. And Utah doesn't really ever beat themselves, while OKC can be erratic.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

AVOID OKC !!!!!!!!!! If they loose against the Bucks, try to win, if they Win we better loose this game

Golden State is better than OKC, I'd rather avoid them until the WCF. Play to win tonight

 

[SharpesTriumph]

OKC can avoid GS in the first round with a win-- so they'll go all out. Milwaukee has no reason to play anybody of significance. I don't think we'll get any help, so OKC is gonna lock up #6.

Assuming DEN takes care of Minny, it would pretty much boil down to us for picking our opponent. Do we want to go to 3 and face OKC in round 1 (and possibly DEN instead of GS in round 2) or do we want to get 4th and UTA in round 1 (and GS in round 2)?

We have won first round series lately, now if we hadn't won a series in 15 years I might want the easier round 1 matchup. I don't care about that, I want the easier path to the conference finals which we haven't been to in 19 years. Golden State is better than OKC, play to win and get that 3 seed.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I agree about getting 3. Also don't think OKC is our toughest opponent.

Paul George is a defensive monster, but the combination of Rubio and Gobert will be nearly impossible for Dame to overcome. And Utah doesn't really ever beat themselves, while OKC can be erratic.

Also think we'd be heavy underdogs to OKC. National media would expect them to win, they have two superstars we had Nurk injured. Westbrook will try to do too much to win. UTA and SAS may have us as favorites which can make us play too cautious or tight.

I'd rather see us have the perception of being an underdog.

 

[illmatic99]

Also think we'd be heavy underdogs to OKC. National media would expect them to win, they have two superstars we had Nurk injured. Westbrook will try to do too much to win. UTA and SAS may have us as favorites which can make us play too cautious or tight.

We know way more about these matchups than the national media. They universally believed that we would beat NOP last year. I think we'll be deemed as the underdog in every matchup nationally this year.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

We know way more about these matchups than the national media. They universally believed that we would beat NOP last year. I think we'll be deemed as the underdog in every matchup nationally this year.

I think it was @PtldPlatypus who posted a poll from last year saying "we" all thought we'd beat NO in 6. So "we" might not know as much as we think in terms of how these matchups will play out (I include myself there).
I do agree I think nationally we'd be an underdog against whoever we faced, except the clippers.

 

[kjironman1]

Thanks for looking out. Fixed.

Maybe put CJ back into the starting lineup or put him on the bench? Hood probably should start but i'm not sure he will?

 

[kjironman1]

And Utah doesn't really ever beat themselves, while OKC can be erratic.

This is one of the thoughts i have as well. Just take that game last night. Yes OKC won that game but with very little time left om the clock you all watch Westbrook heave an ill advised three pointer that miraculously went in. Took hero ball to win that game on their court.

 

[Scalma]

Golden State is better than OKC, I'd rather avoid them until the WCF. Play to win tonight

Lolol how about we worry about not getting swept in the first round first?

Rest everyone and play the kids. They might win anyway.