Sacramento Kings at Portland Trail Blazers Free NBA Picks & Odds
by Josh Schonwald - 4/8/2014
Wednesday, April 9, 10:00 PM on CSNS, CSNW
Moda Center at the Rose Quarter, Portland, Oregon
For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here
It was shaky at times but Portland has finally officially punched their ticket to the NBA postseason. The Blazers are 2 games out of the 4 seed which would mean home court in the 1st round of the playoffs and a win over Sacramento playing on a back-to-back could help trim that number with just 4 to play.
Four of the five remaining games left for Sacramento come against playoff teams which could lead them to finishing in the bottom five of the league. The Kings are arguably the most talented team to miss the playoffs or at least comparative to the margin of 19 games they're out of just the 8 seed. The team has had only two quality wins since March 5th, an OT win against Washington on March 18th and a 102-97 victory over New Orleans on March 31st. More importantly, they'll be coming into Portland on Wednesday after a Tuesday night home game with OKC.
The Blazers have two full days off before welcoming in the Kings on Wednesday. Portland struggled a bit by losing 3 straight games to kick off a 5-game road trip a little over 10 days ago but recovered well to win the next 5 of 6. Portland closes out the year with tough games against the Warriors and Clippers so wins over the Kings and Utah become more important to acquire the 4 spot.
Portland has gone 2-1 against the Kings as the teams prepare for the final meeting of the year. Schedule makers drew up a back-to-back matchup on November 8th and 9th that Portland won 104-91 then 96-85, covering both times while the total went under. Things were different on January 7th when Sacramento captured a 123-119 win as 5 point home underdogs.
ATS Trends
Sacramento is 19-17-3 ATS on the road this season
Sacramento is 16-21-2 against the over/under on the road this season
Portland is 18-20-0 ATS at home this season
Portland is 20-17-1 against the over/under at home this season
Injuries to Watch
Sacramento
04/07/14 G Isaiah Thomas Quad questionable
04/07/14 F Rudy Gay Personal questionable
03/08/14 F Carl Landry Knee out for season
02/22/14 G Jason Terry Knee out for season
Portland
02/11/14 F Joel Freeland Knee out 4-8 weeks
Josh's Pick: Take Portland
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