SACRAMENTO -- After a four-game road trip and a three-day layoff, the Sacramento Kings return to action on their home floor on Sunday when they take on the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Kings split the four-game road trip, pulling out quality wins in Indiana and Toronto. The have now won 5-of-7 and sit just a half game behind the Utah Jazz for the eighth best record in the Western Conference.
DeMarcus Cousins dropped a big 25-point, 16-rebound night last time out against the Pacers and according to coach George Karl, he was on the practice court hours before most of his teammates on Saturday afternoon trying to prepare for the Blazers.
Portland is coming off a shocking blowout win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night. Starting for the injured Damian Lillard, third-year pro Allen Crabbe kicked in a career-high 26 points to help the Trail Blazers improve to 12-20 on the season.
LINE:
Kings by 8
WHERE THEY STAND:
Kings: 12-17, third place in Pacific
Blazers: 12-20, fourth place in Northwest
INJURY REPORT:
Kings: F-C Willie Cauley-Stein (right index finger) out, F Eric Moreland (left foot) out.
Blazers: PG Damian Lillard (plantar fasciitis) and F Ed Davis (ankle) have been ruled out.
SERIES HISTORY:
This is the first of four matchups between these two teams this season. Portland won the season-series 2-1 last year and hold a 123-76 all-time lead over the Kings.
QUOTABLE:
“They have a bigtime scoring backcourt with (Lillard). Without him, you might be able to go after McCollum a little bit just to see - handle him and try to take the playmaking confidence out the game a little bit.” -George Karl
