Game #11: Kings @ Trail Blazers Preview
- Nov 11, 2016
- 3 min read
To the great Northwest we go...
What: Kings @ Portland Trail Blazers
When: 7 P.M. PT
Where: Moda Center
How to Watch: CSN California
The Kings just keep finding new ways to be frustrating. They blew a 19-point lead against the Lakers in front of a nationally televised audience to drop to 4-6 on the season. After a big win in Toronto and must-win against the Pelicans at home on Tuesday, the Kings looked to be gaining some momentum and they looked every bit as engaged and focused in the first half Thursday night. But after halftime, a lid seemed to have been put on their basket and they went cold. Their defense was abysmal at times in the second half after a strong showing in the first. We knew there would be growing pains with this team and this will be chalked up as a teaching point for coach Joerger. Good teams close games out. Bad teams blow massive leads. Whatever the Kings may be right now, they have a long way to go before they can be deemed a consistent team. The Trail Blazers are up next and the dreaded back-to-back from Sacramento to Portland has made its usual yearly appearance. Let's see what the Kings can do on the road against yet another tough opponent.
The NBA's Best Back Court?
Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. It would be tough to name a better back court in the league right now. Lillard (30 PPG) and McCollum (21.2 PPG) are potent offensively and play well together despite their playing styles being somewhat similar. The knock on both of them is that they aren't as proficient on defense as many think they can be, but that's a small price to pay when they can just about torch anyone who guards them on a nightly basis. The guards for the Kings might have a long night in store for them but if they can hold Lillard and McCollum to a pedestrian night at the offensive end, they will give themselves a chance to pick up a huge road victory.
Can't Tame Dame
He wants to be the MVP of this league and early on in the season, he's certainly doing everything he can to back up that talk. Damian Lillard practically willed his team to the postseason last year and he's looking to do the same again. We've all known for a long time now that Lillard is an excellent basketball player (and rapper!) but he's taken his game to new heights this season. Somehow, the Kings are going to have to stop this guy tonight.
R&R
After tonight's game, the Kings will conclude a brutal stretch in which they played 11 games in the season's first 17 nights. The team certainly does look worn down at times and some rest (and more practice time) could do some wonders for them before they head into a homestand that includes the Spurs, Clippers, Raptors, Thunder and Rockets. The schedule has been very unfriendly to the Kings but all told, they've limited the damage despite not having Darren Collison for the first eight games of the season and being without Rudy Gay for a game due to an injury. Not being able to watch the Kings for four whole days will suck. But the most important thing for them is to recover after tonight. We'll find a way to survive.
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