These two are on a tough chase for a playoff spot in the West, so it’s an important match-up for the two clubs. The Blazers are up in the season series, 2-1, and have scored 120-plus on both wins.

HOME TEAM: Portland Trail Blazers (28-36, 17-13 at home)

The Blazers went back to the loss column on Saturday after they lost to the Phoenix Suns, 127-117. It halted a two-game winning streak and it was their fourth defeat in six games.

Every loss is now more frustrating than ever as their playoff chances are hanging by a thread. Things are getting bleak too because they just couldn’t establish any rhythm despite Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum both scoring at will – Dame has 35.7 PPG in his last 14 outings and CJ has 31.4 PPG in his last seven.

The encouraging factor for tomorrow, however, is Portland’s pair of high-scoring wins over the Sacramento Kings. Aside from Dame and CJ, big man Hassan Whiteside was the notable Blazer in those victories. He tallied 22 points and 12.5 rebounds while shooting 72.2% in the two wins.

ROAD TEAM: Sacramento Kings (27-35, 13-19 on the road)

The Kings are a respectable 12-6 in their last 18 games, but they are coming off a 125-108 home loss to the road-challenged Philadelphia 76ers, who were also without Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. It’s an awful blow to the team’s dwindling chances for a postseason appearance.

The backcourt of De’Aron Fox (20.4 PPG, 6.7 APG) and Buddy Hield (19.9 PPG) will continue front-lining the attack. Fox, the Kings’ speedy floor general, has kicked it up a notch over the last couple of games. He has seven-straight nights with 20 or more points, and he’s scoring 24.1 on 52.5% shooting in that span.

Fox has only played the Blazers once this season as he missed the other two meetings due to an injury. He scored 28 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Hield, meanwhile, has struggled with his shots opposite Portland. Though he’s posting 21.3 points in the season series, he has only shot 34.9% overall, including a combined 9-for-34 from three.

Harrison Barnes and Bogdan Bogdanovic will be the third and fourth scorers. Both are averaging over 14 points on the season, and the latter is at 20.5 points and 6.5 assists against the Blazers.

PREDICTION:

The Blazers will be on the second night of a back-to-back, but they are at home and still the more battle-tested team despite a rocky campaign. I expect them to take it, 116-110.

Watch out for a backcourt duel too. Lillard-McCollum versus Fox-Hield should be interesting.