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As predicted, the Blazers destroyed the hapless Charlotte Bobcats last night in a 44 point route. Tonight they play the Sacramento Kings on the road, one of the three teams they’ve beaten on the road this season.

Tonight’s game starts at 7PM on Comcast Sports Network. If you do not have cable or want a good Portland establishment to enjoy with friends, here are several suggestions from our sponsors.

Watch Trailblazers Games in Portland:

Tanker Bar (Se Hawthorne & 48th) | (503) 445-4635 | More info: tankerbar.com
Tanker Bar will be playing all games on their 6 large LCD TVs. $1 Pabst during all Blazers & Football games, and $1 off Nachos during all games. 15 beers on tap, Buckhunter, free popcorn.

Blitz (Ladd, Pearl, Tigard, NW 21) | More info: blitzbarpdx.webs.com
Blitz's FOUR locations will be happening as always with tons of televisions, drinks specials, and games (ping pong, shuffleboard, buckhunters, horseshoes in Tigard, and more).

East Burn (East Burnside & 18th) | (503) 236-2876 | More info: www.theeastburn.com
East Burn will have the game on a large projection screen on their heated patio and also downstairs. Recess discount menu from 3-6PM. They  have daily drink specials (pdf of specials here). 

NE 15th Avenue & Hawthorne Hophouses | More info: oregonhophouse.com
15th Avenue: 1517 NE Brazee | Hawthorne: 4111 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
The Blazers are back and we are ready to make up for lost time. While they dunk, we'll drink. Come watch the Blazers take on the Cavaliers at 6pm at the Hophouse! Dress in Blazer gear and get your first beer for $2.00.

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Preview - Portland Trail Blazers @ Sacramento Kings: 

By Cain Stoneking
Portland Trailblazers (13-9) @ Sacramento Kings (6-15)
Thursday, February 2nd, 7:00pm CSNW
Schedule: Portland Trail Blazers 2011-12 Schedule + Win Tickets

Game Notes: The Blazers started February off with one of the biggest wins in franchise history. The 44 point drubbing of Charlotte gave all their starters some much needed rest. The big question with this team is can they duplicate that energy and type of play on the road? They are 10-1 at home and 3-8 on the road and it seems energy is the main ingredient to Blazer wins. The good news is one of their road wins was early in the season against the Kings.

The Kings are playing defense with more urgency and their guards have begun to play some inspired basketball but it has still not come all together. They are on a five game losing streak and only the last two were close. The team lacks experience and has a very hard time closing games out. If Marcus Thornton can’t go in this game, it won’t be so bad if Batum cannot play.

The Kings:

Starting Lineup: Tyreke Evans, Jimmer Fredette, DeMarcus Cousins, John Salmons, Jason Thompson
Bench: Isiah Thomas, J.J. Hickson, Francisco Garcia, Chuck Hayes, Travis Outlaw

X’s and O’s:

The Kings can only beat the Blazers in two ways. One is when DeMarcus Cousins is having his way under the basket. He is a tough inside presence that can score and rebound. Camby and LaMarcus will have to counter this. Both will have to show a lot of energy on the defensive side. The other way they can beat the Blazersis withtheir talented guards. Tyreke was an assist shy of a triple-double last game and is capable of putting a team on his back. He has a lot of promise and skill. Raymond Felton probably won’t guard him much of the game; Felton is no match for Tyreke. Wesley will need to slide over on defense and contain him.

Advantage Blazers:

This could be the break-out game everyone has been expecting out of Wesley Matthews. If Jimmer is defending, then Wesley should be able to get anything he wants on offense. Hopefully Nate McMillian has him running off a lot of screens for some open threes. If the Blazers call any isolation plays for Wesley, he will have a big advantage slashing to the basket. LaMarcus should have a big game as well, but the match-up for Wesley will be huge.

Last Words:

The Blazers need to figure out how to win on the road. They have three tough home games after this one but they are all winnable. They should also get some great practice time in this week. If the defense is as active tonight as it was against the Bobcats, then this will be another easy win.

Games this week:
Denver – 4th
Oklahoma City – 6th
Houston – 8th