Well, the Sacramento Kings had to lose at some point. After winning a surprising four straight, the Kings fell 117-110 against the Portland Trail Blazers in a close contest. The game was close at the end, but it felt like the Blazers had control for the whole contest and outworked Sacramento.

Avdija can still receive his first All-Star berth as a reserve, however, and his resume is as good as any player in the Western Conference.

Doug Christie and Kings players speak to reporters following Sacramento's 117-110 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday at Golden 1 Center.Malik Monk, Maxime Raynaud, Doug Christie discuss King

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers fell 132-116 on the road to the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday with Luka Doncic sidelined.

Both of the Lakers' true rotational centers — Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes — were listed as questionable due to knee soreness and a hamstring ailment, respectively. With the opening tip approaching, both were also ruled out, which means that the team will be very short-handed against the Trail Blazers.

The Portland Trail Blazers have turned what could have been a disastrous season into a successful one, even though the NBA is only halfway through its season.

The former UConn center is currently leading the NBA in offensive rebounds and has sparked Portland's turnaround.

The Portland Trail Blazers are one of two teams that have emerged as serious suitors in Jonathan Kuminga's trade sweepstakes. Two other teams have since fallen