----- The Sacramento Kings clinched their first playoff berth in 16-years with a 120-80 blowout victory over the Portland Trail Blazers Wednesday night at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.
It's a Party in Sacramento!
For the first time since 2006, the Sacramento Kings are headed back to the Western Conference playoffs. They clinched their playoff berth Wednesday night at Moda Center with a 120-80 blowout win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
De'Aaron Fox finished with 18 points and six assists and Malik Monk scored 19 on 5-of-9 shooting from beyond-the-arc. Domantas Sabonis had a strong all-around game with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists.
The Kings connected on 18-of-48 from three-point range and dominated the glass with a 59-45 edge in rebounding. 10 offensive rebounds helped the Kings with a 15-7 edge in second chance points.
The Kings led 50-46 at halftime before taking control of the game. Sacramento outscored Portland 70-34 in the second half.
“I think every experience that we’ve gone through this year can help translate (to the playoffs)," Kings coach Mike Brown said. "But I’m telling you, we’ll experience it in the playoffs at another level. And every round you advance in the playoffs, it’s going to even take it up another notch.”
Shaedon Sharpe scored a game-high 30 points and added seven rebounds and seven assists.
Portland was depleted with regular starters Damian Lillard (right calf), Jusuf Nurkic (right knee), Anfernee Simons (right foot) and Jerami Grant (left quad) all nursing injuries. Keon Johnson, who had 20 points in a loss to New Orleans on Monday, broke a finger in shootaround. Only seven Blazers played.
Up Next- The Trail Blazers get a rematch with the Kings Friday night at Moda Center. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:00 PM.
Chad's Take- Just six-games left in the season. Thank the Good Lord above.