The Portland Trail Blazers somewhat failed their first preseason test last week losing 121-107 to Golden State.
Monday night, the Blazers will reveal if an additional week to review and study in preparation for their second test will produce better results.
“We’ve spent a lot of time on the little things,” forward Robert Covington said. “Things that we watched on the film and we got better the last few days.”
The Blazers host Sacramento Monday night to start a week filled with three preseason games before the regular season gets started Oct. 20 against these same Kings at home.
The Blazers struggled in the opener mainly in key areas that were points of emphasis for new coach Chauncey Billups: Defending the three (Golden State shot 69 of them), transition defense and shooting contested threes.
“I think we’ve just been able to kind of pinpoint and get to the bottom of things that are gonna be important to us, offensively and defensively,” Billups said. “We’ve done a ton of transition defense work and offensively we’ve done a ton of correcting with spacing and trying to get to the paint on some of our drives and not shortcutting things. So, we’ve been able to kind of pinpoint a few things over the last few days.”
However, many of the key players on the team won’t be available to display improvement. Billups said Saturday that he would not play Damian Lillard or CJ McCollum while giving no indication that either player was hurt. Lillard, as it turns out, is simply getting the night off. McCollum, on the other hand, has an ankle injury. Also out Norman Powell (right hip strain), Ben McLemore (left ankle sprain), Tony Snell (right foot sprain), Nassir Little (left hamstring strain) and Cody Zeller (nose fracture).
Robert Covington was added to the list on Monday. He will sit out to gain rest.
On Saturday, Billups said he would approach the game the same way he would have without Lillard and McCollum.
“I’m looking to keep working on our stuff,” Billups said. “Yeah, those two guys won’t play in the game but we don’t change the way that we play. We still try to play the same way offensively with unselfishness. Defensively we pick up and pressure. Nothing changes. Trying to do the same exact thing I’m trying to get better. To me, this is still training camp. A lot of people think once the games start, training camp is over. Training camp is not over until the preseason is over, for me. So, we’re still working on things. We’re still experimenting with a few things.”
How he handles things minus seven players will be interesting.
Eventually, those out will be back in the lineup. Maybe then fans will see evidence of team-wide improvement. All told, Billups said he is pleased with how the team has handled all of the material that’s been installed.
“It’s been a ton,” Billups said. “New things, new stuff. And I am unhappy with where we are. I’m happy with just how these guys are really trying to pick it up, and the things that we’re trying to implement and do. I’m happy about it but also know that it takes time.”
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS vs. SACRAMENTO KINGS
What: Trail Blazers vs. Kings, preseason game, 7 p.m., Monday
Where: Moda Center
Radio: Rip City Radio (KPOJ 620 AM)
TV channel: Root Sports (in Portland: Comcast 34/734, DirecTV 687/688)
Watch the game live online: If you already have a cable provider that includes ROOT sports and want to watch online, you can watch this game live on ROOT Sports Live with your cable provider login.
Unfortunately, Root Sports is not a channel currently available on most streaming services, but is available to stream live on AT&T TV (promotional offers) with the “CHOICE” package. While it is a bit expensive, you can offset the cost and share the login information with a friend or family member. AT&T TV is currently the only streaming service that carries ROOT (but fuboTV reportedly has a deal in place to add ROOT very soon).
ODDS
Spread: NA
Moneyline: NA
KINGS 2-0
The Kings are 2-0 in the preseason with wins over Phoenix (117-106) and the Los Angeles Clippers (113-98).
SCHEDULE CHANGE
The Blazers’ Wednesday preseason game at Phoenix has been moved to 2 p.m. The game had originally been scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
INJURIES
Blazers: G Damian Lillard (rest), F Robert Covington (rest), G CJ McCollum (right ankle sprain), G Norman Powell (right hip strain), G Ben McLemore (left ankle sprain), G/F Tony Snell (right foot sprain), F Nassir Little (left hamstring strain) and C Cody Zeller (nose fracture) are out.
Kings: F Marvin Bagley III (right knee; soreness), G Tyrese Haliburton (rest), G Buddy Hield (rest) and F Tristan Thompson (rest) are out.
NEXT UP
The Trail Blazers’ next preseason game is scheduled for 2 p.m., Wednesday at Phoenix. Portland concludes its preseason schedule Friday at Golden State.
-- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook).
Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories
Ad Choices