3. Wednesday vs. Sacramento Kings
The only reason this game is easier than Friday’s is because of the slim chances the Kings aren’t prepared, overlook the Blazers, or are worn out from making the long trek up from Sacramento (sarcasm).
Otherwise, a team still fighting to earn the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs has every motivation to put Portland away early and not mess around with a basement dweller.
The Kings have the best offense in the NBA with a scheme revolving around all-star center Domantas Sabonis, who will likely pick apart the Blazers’ defense with his ability to score and facilitate.
That’s not even accounting for Sacramento’s leading scorer, De’Aaron Fox, or deep threats Kevin Huerter and Keegan Murray.
The only way the Blazers stay close in this game, assuming Lillard, Jerami Grant, Jusuf Nurkic, and Anfernee Simons are all still sidelined, is for the combination of Sharpe, Little, and Reddish to combine for 70 or 80 points.
Not gonna happen.