SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Interstat) — The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Sacramento Kings 117-110 on Sunday at Golden 1 Center behind a powerful performance from Donovan Clingan. The 7-foot-2 center recorded 21 points and 17 rebounds to lead six Portland players in double figures. Deni Avdija added 30 points and eight assists for the Trail Blazers, who improved to 22-22. Shaedon Sharpe contributed 27 points. The Kings, who fell to 12-31, were led by Russell Westbrook’s 23 points and seven assists. Malik Monk also scored 23 off the bench. Portland used a decisive second-quarter run, outscoring Sacramento 32-21, to establish a lead it would not relinquish. The Trail Blazers sealed the win by making 29 of 33 free throws. Attendance was 16,241.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a dominant second-quarter surge and a relentless interior presence, the Portland Trail Blazers secured a 117-110 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night at Golden 1 Center, sweeping a three-game season series between the teams. The contest pivoted decisively in the second period. After a tightly contested first quarter ended with both teams knotted at 32, the Trail Blazers unleashed a 32-point frame while clamping down defensively to hold the Kings to just 21 points. That 11-point swing established a cushion Portland would protect for the remainder of the evening, despite several Sacramento rallies. Portland’s engine was its formidable frontcourt duo. Center Donovan Clingan delivered a monstrous performance, anchoring both ends with 21 points, 17 rebounds and three assists in 37 minutes. His defensive rebounding, with 12 on that end, repeatedly stifled Sacramento’s second-chance opportunities. Forward Deni Avdija orchestrated the offense with a masterful all-around line of 30 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, consistently attacking the rim and drawing fouls. Guard Shaedon Sharpe provided crucial scoring punch with 27 points and seven rebounds. The Kings, falling to a league-worst 12-31, were led by veteran guard Russell Westbrook’s 23 points and seven assists. Malik Monk added 23 points off the bench, and Zach LaVine contributed 18. However, Sacramento’s offense, which posted an efficient offensive rating of 109.4, was undermined by 16 turnovers and an inability to contain Portland’s paint attacks, resulting in 26 personal fouls that sent the Trail Blazers to the line for 33 free throw attempts. Portland’s offensive execution, scoring 117 points on 102 possessions for a 115.1 offensive rating, proved superior. While both teams struggled from beyond the arc—Portland shot 8 for 32 and Sacramento 11 for 31—the Trail Blazers’ decisive advantage came at the charity stripe, where they made 29 free throws to the Kings’ 15. The most critical sequence of the game unfolded late in the second quarter, cementing Portland’s control. After a Malik Monk three-pointer pulled Sacramento within 42-39 with 6:37 remaining, the Trail Blazers closed the half on a blistering 22-11 run. The surge was fueled by Avdija’s playmaking and Clingan’s finishing. Avdija assisted on a Sidy Cissoko three-pointer, scored on a driving layup, and then found Toumani Camara for two dunks and a three-pointer in the final 90 seconds. Clingan capped the half with an alley-oop dunk from Caleb Love, sending Portland into the locker room with a 64-53 lead and palpable momentum. Sacramento made persistent efforts to claw back in the second half. They trimmed the deficit to seven points late in the third quarter and again to six points on multiple occasions in the fourth, the last at 101-95 with 4:09 remaining following a DeMar DeRozan jumper. Each time, Portland responded with key plays. Following that DeRozan basket, the Trail Blazers executed a patient set leading to Clingan drawing a shooting foul on the other end; he sank both free throws. After a Dylan Cardwell hook shot made it 97-89, Avdija answered with a driving layup. The Kings’ final push came in the chaotic final minute. Down 108-104, a Shaedon Sharpe turnover led to a Malik Monk step-back three-pointer, cutting the lead to one point with 54.6 seconds left. On the ensuing possession, Sharpe missed a layup, but DeRozan could not convert a mid-range attempt on the other end. Avdija secured the defensive rebound and was immediately fouled, sinking two clutch free throws with 16.2 seconds left to extend the lead back to three. After a Russell Westbrook dunk made it 110-108, Avdija was fouled again and iced the game with two more free throws, part of a perfect 10-for-10 night from the line for the Israeli forward. The win improved Portland to an even 22-22, continuing their mid-season push. The loss extended Sacramento’s struggles in a season that has offered few bright spots. The Trail Blazers’ ability to control the glass, with a 48-41 overall rebounding edge led by Clingan’s 17, and their efficiency in converting Sacramento’s mistakes into 19 points off turnovers, proved to be the foundational elements of the road victory. Portland returns home to host the Miami Heat on Thursday. Sacramento continues a homestand against the Miami Heat on Tuesday.

Preview: Trail Blazers Visit Kings in Sunday Showdown SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Interstat) — The Portland Trail Blazers, riding a surge of momentum, will face a Sacramento Kings team showing recent signs of life when the Western Conference foes meet Sunday at Golden 1 Center. Portland (20-22) enters having won seven of its last 10 games, including a 117-101 victory over Atlanta on Thursday. The Trail Blazers have been led by the dynamic play of guard Shaedon Sharpe, who is averaging 20.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists over that 10-game stretch. In the win over the Hawks, Sharpe posted 24 points, nine rebounds and five assists. The Kings (12-30), despite their overall record, have won three straight games, most recently a 128-115 victory over Washington on Friday. Veteran guard Russell Westbrook has been instrumental in the turnaround, averaging 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 7.1 assists during the winning streak. He scored 26 points with six assists against the Wizards. This will be the third meeting between the teams this season. They split two dramatic contests in December, with Portland winning 98-93 in Sacramento on Dec. 20, and the Trail Blazers prevailing 134-133 in overtime at home on Dec. 18. The matchup features a contrast in styles. Portland has found consistency with Sharpe as a primary offensive catalyst, supported by a balanced attack. Sacramento’s resurgence has been fueled by Westbrook’s high-energy playmaking and a recent uptick in offensive output, averaging 118.0 points during their three-game win streak. For the Trail Blazers, maintaining their winning form on the road is critical as they look to climb above .500. The Kings, meanwhile, aim to extend their season-best streak and build confidence before embarking on a challenging seven-game road trip starting next week. Sunday’s contest tips off at 6 p.m. PST.