Zach LaVine scored 29 points as the Sacramento Kings defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 128-107 on Thursday night, ending a four-game losing streak.
Domantas Sabonis contributed 22 points, 19 rebounds, and six assists, helping Sacramento improve to 36-37 and move into sole possession of ninth place in the Western Conference standings.
LaVine made 13 of his 18 shot attempts, while Sabonis shot 9-of-11 from the field. DeMar DeRozan added 21 points and 10 assists, Keegan Murray scored 17 points, and Malik Monk provided 16 off the bench.
Deni Avdija led the Trail Blazers with 24 points and nine rebounds, continuing his strong play in March. Shaedon Sharpe added 22 points, and Anfernee Simons scored 20 as Portland fell to 32-42, remaining 12th in the West.
Sacramento gained control in the second quarter when Keon Ellis and Monk hit back-to-back three-pointers during a 12-2 run. The Kings built a 45-29 lead and maintained at least a nine-point advantage for the rest of the game.
The Kings shot 64.9% from the field, scoring 60 points in the paint, while the Trail Blazers struggled, hitting just 39.8% of their shots. Portland made 16 three-pointers but converted only 32% from beyond the arc.
Rookie center Donovan Clingan, making his third career start for Portland, was held scoreless in 17 minutes, while Duop Reath added a season-high 17 points off the bench.
Sacramento’s victory moved them a half-game ahead of the Dallas Mavericks in the standings with just over two weeks left in the regular season. The Kings also hold a one-game lead over the 11th-place Phoenix Suns.
Portland, already facing an uphill battle to make the play-in tournament, continues to deal with absences. Deandre Ayton and Jerami Grant sat out due to coach’s decisions, while Robert Williams III and Bryce McGowens remained sidelined with injuries.
