Portland Trail Blazers vs Sacramento Kings Picks and Predictions for Friday, October 23, 2026
Portland raced ahead of Phoenix before the Suns had even scored Wednesday. Sacramento now gets the job of slowing the Trail Blazers down. The Portland Trail Blazers visit the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on Friday, with tipoff at 10:00 pm ET on NBA League Pass. Portland is 1-0, tied for first in the Northwest Division after a 124-83 victory. Sacramento is 0-1, tied for third in the Pacific following a 121-96 loss to the Clippers. Those opening nights couldn't have looked much different. Build your bankroll with our free NBA picks.
Portland Got Off to a Flying Start
Phoenix barely had time to settle in Wednesday. Portland jumped out 21-0, with different players knocking down shots before the Suns could respond. By halftime, the Trail Blazers were ahead 72-39, and the starters didn't need to play much of the fourth quarter. Portland scored 124 points and allowed only 83, grabbing 56 rebounds and blocking one shot. That work on the glass kept Phoenix from getting a foothold. The challenge now is bringing that focus to a road game against a team desperate to respond.
Damian Lillard made his return to Portland count with 25 points and six three-pointers. Ja Morant handed out eight assists to lead the team. Deni Avdija and Robert Williams III shared the rebounding lead with 10 apiece. Donovan Clingan recorded Portland's only block, while Toumani Camara contributed 18 points. That mix of outside shooting, passing and work around the basket gives the Trail Blazers options.
Injuries: Chris Youngblood is questionable with an ankle injury. Branden Carlson is out with a concussion, and Shaedon Sharpe is out with a knee injury.
Sacramento Has to Make Its Home Opener Count
The Kings never led against the Clippers on Wednesday. Every time Sacramento seemed ready to make a run, Los Angeles found an answer. Sacramento scored 96 points and allowed 121, grabbing 42 rebounds without recording a block. Shooting struggles didn't help, but the Clippers looked comfortable all evening. Now the Kings face a Portland team that found open looks whenever it wanted. Contesting shots and getting back in transition will matter more than trying to match every Portland jumper.
Zach LaVine carried much of Sacramento's scoring, finishing with 28 points. Domantas Sabonis led the Kings with 18 rebounds and eight assists while adding 14 points. Nobody on Sacramento recorded a block, making protection around the basket difficult. Precious Achiuwa supplied 15 points off the bench, but the Kings never mounted a sustained comeback. Sabonis has plenty of work ahead against Portland's size. Sacramento needs LaVine's scoring without leaving him to create every difficult basket.
Injuries: Malik Monk is questionable with an ankle injury. Dylan Cardwell and Maxime Raynaud are out, while Ben Simmons is listed as out for the season.
Key To The Game
Portland collected 56 rebounds against Phoenix, while Sacramento managed 42 against the Clippers. Sabonis can help close that gap, but the Kings must contest Portland's shooters. If Lillard gets comfortable early, Sacramento could be chasing another lead.
Portland Trail Blazers vs Sacramento Kings Game Pick
- Portland Trail Blazers -6.5
Portland's opener showed how difficult the Trail Blazers can be when Lillard gets space and Morant keeps the ball moving. Sacramento has LaVine and Sabonis, but its defense offered little resistance against the Clippers. The Kings will be eager to respond at home, yet Portland's rebounding and shooting give the visitors several advantages. The Trail Blazers will keep control of this matchup and cover the 6.5-point spread on Friday night.
Portland Trail Blazers vs Sacramento Kings Over/Under Pick
- Under 232.5
Portland held Phoenix to 83 points, and Sacramento managed only 96 against the Clippers. Those opening games showed problems scoring for both losing teams, although the Trail Blazers had no trouble finding their own offense. Sabonis can help Sacramento slow the pace by working inside, while Portland's rebounding can limit second chances. Friday figures to feature fewer easy baskets than the betting line suggests, finishing Under the listed 232.5-point total.