Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers Prediction, Picks, Odds: Will Damian Lillard Make Big Impact?

Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers Prediction, Picks, Odds:

The Sacramento Kings will start the season with a home game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Blazers are looking forward to an entire season of Damian Lillard at guard. But if last year was any indication, the Blazers aren't ready to be playoff competitors.

Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings traded away Tyrese Haliburton last year in the middle of the season. Their young star rookie is now with the Pacers. The Kings acquired Domntas Sabonis, who is still an excellent piece but doesn't have the potential of Haliburton.

Can the Kings hold off the Blazers?

Here are our NBA picks, predictions, and odds for Wednesday's game between the Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers.

Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

• Date: October 19, 2022
• Game Time: 10:00 pm ET
• Where to Watch: NBCSCA, ROOT-SP+

Kings vs. Trail Blazers Odds

• Spread: Trail Blazers +2.5 (-105) , Kings -2.5 (-115)
• Total: Over 228.5 (-110), Under 228.5(-105)
• Moneyline: Blazers (+120), Kings (-140)

Click Here for Kings vs. Trail Blazers Odds

Kings vs. Trail Blazers Injury Report

Trail Blazers

Questionable: SG Shaedon Sharpe (Shoulder) Out: PG Gary Payton II (Abdominal), C Olivier Sarr (Wrist), Trendon Watford (Hip Flexor)

Kings

Questionable: SG Kevin Huerter (Ankle), SF Keegan Murray (Illness)

Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers Prediction

The Sacramento Kings added some new pieces to their young squad this season. De'Aaron Fox, Harrison Barnes, and Domantas Sabonis are the primary returners in the starting lineup. There's also Trey Lyles and new addition, Kevin Huerter, who will likely get the two other starting spots.

Davion Mitchell and Malik Monk are the two best players off the bench this season. They've also got Terence Davis and Richaun Holmes as solid bench pieces.

Last season, the Kings were terrible offensively, ranking 25th in points per 100 possessions. They shot a 52.7% effective field goal percentage, also 23rd in the NBA. The only thing the Kings did well last season was getting to the foul line.

Defensively, the Kings allowed 115.8 points per 100 possessions while allowing a 55.3% effective field goal percentage. They limited foul shots but struggled on the defensive glass and didn't earn a high rate of turnovers.

Meanwhile, the Blazers expect to have Damien Lillard tonight to play alongside Anfernee Simons, Josh Hart, Jerami Grant, and Jusuf Nurkic.

Nurkic is one of the more underrated centers in the league, and Jerami Grant is an excellent third option for this offense. Simons and Hart are developed offensively and bring a lot to the table.

Portland also signed Nassir Little to a four-year extension. He should get plenty of minutes off the bench along with Drew Eubanks, Justise Winslow, and Keon Johnson. It's unclear if Shaedon Sharpe will be available, but he could also get some minutes after being Portland's top draft pick.

The Blazers were extremely bad last year and don't have much depth this year. The starting lineup could outscore any offense in the league, but I'm not sure they'll be prepared defensively. Last year, the Blazers allowed a league-worst 56.1% effective field goal percentage. Teams also got to the line at a staggering rate.

The Blazers were still able to earn 14.1% of turnovers on defense. That was the only area where they played well. The offense earned 25.9% of offensive rebounds, with Nurkic at the center. That should help the offense get second chances and more opportunities.

Therefore, I think the wrong team is favored. I'll ride with the Trail Blazers on the road.

Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers Pick

• Trail Blazers +2.5 (-105) (Bet $105 to Collect $100)

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