The Blazers begin a crucial road challenge, starts with the Kings

Sitting at 7-5 is hardly an enviable position. Even worse, after an extended five game road trip that ended with a home game on the backend of a back-to-back, Portland is now back on the road for another back-to-back. This time both games are on the road, first against Sacramento and then against Phoenix. In their last road game, Portland turned in a disappointing performance against Golden State and gave up a win they probably should have had, thus effectively canceling out their somewhat surprising win in Orlando a few nights prior. It also pointed up to the difference between Portland and the teams they are looking up at. The Celtics and Lakers habitually close out the games they are supposed to close out and put them in the W column. Their win totals grow regularly and when they lose it is a bit surprising. You seldom see the top teams of the league lose to the Memphis or Clipper type franchises. Portland has the talent to be that type of team. What they do not have is the killer instinct. ... (link)