As the Portland Trail Blazers have gently lowered themselves into the warm bath labeled “tanking” over the last few weeks, the Sacramento Kings have slipped poolside and splashed into cold water, losing seven of their last 10... and definitely not on purpose. Sacramento’s season has been disappointing, falling short of last year’s 48-win campaign after expecting growth, and Sunday’s game against the Blazers matters for them.
Depending on different combinations of wins and losses between themselves, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento may find themselves anywhere from the 8th seed with two chances to escape the play-in, or the 10th seed and needing to win two road games to avoid elimination.