After watching the Portland Trail Blazers secure their first win of the season, the Sacramento Kings aim to do the same when they host Portland on Monday night. Both teams started 0-2, but Portland got 28 points from Jerami Grant and 27 from Anfernee Simons in a dominant 125-103 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. The Pelicans had edged the Trail Blazers 105-103 two nights earlier at the same venue.
The Kings had a day off on Sunday, still reeling from narrow losses: 117-115 at home to the Minnesota Timberwolves and 131-127 on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday. Despite being separated by 25 games in last season’s Western Conference standings, the Kings and Trail Blazers matched up evenly. Sacramento needed overtime to clinch a 121-118 home win in November, while Portland notched a 130-113 home victory in December before the Kings responded with a 121-82 blowout at home in April. T
rail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson, just 20, has been a consistent performer this season. He scored 22 points in the opener against Golden State, followed by 15 points, six assists, and three steals in the first New Orleans game. On Sunday, he recorded nine points, seven assists, and five rebounds with a plus-20 plus/minus off the bench.
The Kings believe their offensive performance has been strong enough for a 2-0 start, but close games slipped away. De’Aaron Fox missed a crucial 18-footer against Minnesota, and Anthony Davis hit a game-sealing three-pointer for the Lakers. Despite the losses, coach Mike Brown saw positives, as his team led by as many as seven points early against Los Angeles.
Domantas Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan led the Kings, with Sabonis scoring 29 points on 10-of-14 shooting, and DeRozan adding 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting. Kevin Huerter and Keegan Murray each contributed 14 points, with Keegan facing his twin brother Kris of the Trail Blazers for the fourth time in their careers. Last season, Keegan won the individual battles, outscoring Kris in all three matchups.
The Kings look to break into the win column and capitalize on their strong offensive showings in this early-season matchup.
