Sacramento Kings at Portland Trail Blazers
Moda Center
Portland Trail Blazers -9-108
CONF 68%
LLostFinal 133-134
The read
TALE OF THE TAPE
Portland Trail Blazers Sacramento Kings Record 10-16 ← 6-20 Off Rating 113.9 ← 108.4 Def Rating 116.2 ← 118.7 Net Rating -2.3 ← -10.3 Key Injuries Holiday, Thybulle, Sabonis, LaVine, Scoot Henderson, Eubanks (all OUT), Lillard (all OUT) Schroder (Q)
Gary's Take Portland owns the efficiency edge on both sides of the ball and now gets a Sacramento team stripped of its hub in the middle. Without Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine, the Kings lose their best creator and a major scoring option, and that shows up in a weaker offense, softer defense, and a big gap on the glass.
Jerami Grant and Deni Avdija should live in attack mode against a thin Kings frontcourt, generating free throws and second-chance looks where Portland already grades out better. DeMar DeRozan and Malik Monk can keep Sacramento afloat for stretches, but asking this Kings defense to get enough stops on the road without Sabonis’ presence is a tall order.
Portland’s structural advantages in efficiency, rebounding, and trips to the line set up a comfortable home win. I’m laying the number with Portland Trail Blazers -9 -108. The main way this misses is if Portland’s guard injuries bog down their offense and DeRozan drags the Kings into a late-game cover.
Injuries noted
Sacramento Kings: Dennis Schroder (Day-To-Day) — Dec 17: Schroder is questionable for Thursday's game in Portland due to a right ankle sprain.; Domantas Sabonis (Out) — Dec 17: Sabonis (knee) is scheduled to be re-evaluated in the coming days, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.; Zach LaVine (Out) — Dec 16: The Kings announced Tuesday that LaVine (ankle) will be re-evaluated in one week, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee reports.; Drew Eubanks (Out) — Dec 13: Eubanks sustained a left thumb avulsion fracture in Thursday's loss to Denver and will be re-evaluated in three weeks, Sean Cunningham of Fox 40 Sacramento reports.; day Schroder (Questionable); Sacramento Kings Ankle Schroder (Questionable)
Portland Trail Blazers: Jrue Holiday (Out) — Dec 17: Holiday (calf) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Kings.; Matisse Thybulle (Out) — Dec 13: Thybulle (thumb) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against Golden State.; Scoot Henderson (Out) — Dec 13: Interim head coach Tiago Splitter told reporters Saturday that Henderson (hamstring) is progressing well in his recovery but is still limited to non-contact work, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.; Blake Wesley (Out) — Nov 5: Wesley underwent a successful procedure to repair a fracture of the fifth metatarsal base in his right foot Wednesday, and he's expected to be sidelined for 8-12 weeks, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.com reports.; Damian Lillard (Out) — Sep 25: Lillard won't be back on the court for the 2025-26 season, as he made clear during an interview with YouTube influencer Speed on Wednesday.
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- Board stored December 18, 2025 at 11:21 AM ET.
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- The displayed line is the value retained with the call. Source names were not retained with this call.
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