Gametime: 7:00 pm PDT
Where: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
Broadcast Information: Not Broadcasted locally
Kings Projected Starting Lineup: (Mr. Miracle’s Prediction)
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG:Ben McLemore
SF: Rudy Gay
PF:Willie Cauley-Stein
C: DeMarcus Cousins
Trail Blazers Projected Starting Lineup: (Mr. Miracle’s Prediction)
PG: Damian Lillard
SG: Gerald Henderson
SF: Al-Farouq Aminu
PF: Meyers Leonard
C: Mason Plumlee
Three Keys:
Defend The Perimeter
Head coach George Karl and the Kings are looking to make a huge leap in their defensive abilities, after being ranked 27TH last season. The Trail Blazers have gone through plenty of change this offseason, losing four of last years starting five.
Having no Robin Lopez or LaMarcus Aldridge in the post, the Blazers are going to be fully reliant on their perimeter players picking up the slack. Lillard is expected to carry this team on his back while he is on the floor.
Play fast but under control
It has been reported that the team has been practicing with an 18-second shot clock, instead of a regulated one.
The game plan is playing at a fast pace, but staying under control.
The excitement is expected in the locker room and each player wants to execute the things they have practiced all summer. It’s up to the leaders and veterans of this team to make sure each player is staying in their lane and following the game plan.
It is Sacramento’s first game against “real” competition and although this is a preseason matchup, the team needs to limit their mistakes.
Experiment
This is probably the deepest roster the Kings have had since the 2002-2003 season. The future Hall-of-Fame coach has plenty of tools in his toolbox and the preseason is the best time to test each of these tools to see what works best.
The question of who will start at the four spot has been another storyline at training camp. Will the Kings play more small-ball and start Gay at the four spot? Would they like to have the energy of Cauley-Stein or more of a twin towers look with Kosta Koufos?
This is the time to explore this roster and experiment with different rotations.
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