Before Tip-off: Blazers vs Kings

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Friday, October 31, 2014

Andrew R Tonry, GoLocalPDX Contributor

7:00PM, TV: Comast

Vegas Odds: Blazers -5 1/2

The NBA season is a marathon, not a sprint. And for the Blazers, beating teams they're supposed to will be paramount--particularly in the season's front-loaded first half.

Indeed, Portland's schedule is toughest in the early going. The Blazers face a glut of quality opponents from now until the end of the 2014.

Which means last year's magical 24-and-5 start is highly unlikely to be repeated. It also means, again, that Portland must punish the pushovers.

That becomes a bit tougher in the season's early months when teams like Sacramento have yet to be completely demoralized. In game two, the Kings may still be maintaining some sense of hope, perhaps even believing in themselves, like: "Hey, why not us? Why not this year? Why can't we be the ones to make the leap?"

Well, no Sacramento, it won't be you. Not now, nor anytime soon.

Opening at home, Wednesday, the Kings their first dose of good intentions rammed back down their throats in a 95-77 drubbing, courtesy of Golden State.

Which suggests two things: 1.) The Kings ought to be at least a little motivated to put on a better show against the Blazers, and 2.) The Kings are frickin' garbage.

As long as the Blazers don't hiccup or get complacent they ought to begin the year 2-0.

Let the grind begin.

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