Portland Trail Blazers secure victory against Sacramento Kings in NBA Cup
- Deandre Ayton scored 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds, leading Portland to victory.
- The Kings lost despite Malik Monk's 29 points off the bench and having more shot attempts.
- With this win, the Blazers move to 2-1 in their Group A standings, while the Kings fall to 0-3.
On Friday night in Portland, the NBA Cup game saw the Portland Trail Blazers defeating the Sacramento Kings with a score of 115-106. This match was significant for both teams as they competed for valuable standings within the Western Conference's Group A. The Blazers showcased a strong performance with Deandre Ayton scoring 26 points and grabbing nine rebounds, leading his team to a crucial victory. Anfernee Simons contributed considerably with 21 points and nine assists, while Deni Avdija added 20 points and nine rebounds, highlighting a team effort. Dalano Banton came off the bench to score 17 points and achieved a career-high with five steals, further solidifying Portland’s success. For the Kings, Malik Monk was the standout performer, scoring 29 points off the bench. De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis supported well, adding 22 and 21 points respectively. Despite these efforts, Sacramento struggled to maintain momentum after a pivotal moment in the game. A 9-2 run by the Blazers late in the second quarter allowed Portland to establish a lead that Sacramento could not overcome throughout the remainder of the game. The Kings faced challenges despite attempting more shots, including five additional three-pointers and managing to shoot 13 more free throws than their opponents. With this win, the Blazers improved their record to 2-1 in Group A, placing them behind the Houston Rockets, who lead with a record of 3-0. This result is a crucial boost for Portland as they aim to advance in the NBA Cup following the Los Angeles Lakers' loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Meanwhile, the Kings suffered their third consecutive loss, marking a tough start for them in this competition. The upcoming schedule sees the Kings hosting the San Antonio Spurs, where they will look to bounce back and gain their first win in the NBA Cup. Conversely, the Trail Blazers will be facing the Dallas Mavericks at home, hoping to continue their positive momentum from this latest victory.