The Sacramento Kings (13-22) go head-to-head with the New Orleans Pelicans (11-24) at the Golden 1 Center. The game starts at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 4, 2020, and will air on NBC Sports – California.
New Orleans Pelicans at Sacramento Kings Free Prediction
The last time the Pelicans played, they were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers, 123-113, and were unable to cover as 5-point underdogs. The game’s combined points (236) finished over the O/U total of 223. Los Angeles made good use of their 28 trips to the charity stripe, converting on 23 of them (82.1 percent). New Orleans, meanwhile, was just 6-7 (85.7 percent). New Orleans’ Derrick Favors had a good outing, contributing 15 points and 14 rebounds.
The Kings defeated the Memphis Grizzlies in their last contest, 128-123, covering as 4-point favorites. The combined points for the game (251) finished well over the O/U total of 224.5. The Kings forced 17 turnovers and had a free throw rate of 0.289 (above their season average of 0.166). De’Aaron Fox was the top scorer from either team with 27 points on 9-for-18 shooting from the field.
After the Pelicans won three out of four contests against the Kings last season, these teams will clash for the first time this year. In the last contest, New Orleans won 133-129. New Orleans’ effective field goal percentage was its largest advantage over Sacramento. The Pelicans had a rate of 0.609 while the Kings posted a mark of 0.532.
New Orleans comes into the game with records of 11-24 straight up (SU) and 13-19-2 against the spread (ATS). Pelicans games have gone under the O/U total 52.9 percent of the time.
Meanwhile, Sacramento is 13-22 SU and 18-17 ATS. Kings games have typically finished under the total (57.1 percent).
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Favors (13 rebounds,10.4 points,3.2 assists,1.2 blocks) has been fantastic for the Pelicans while Richaun Holmes (17 points,10.0 rebounds,1.4 blocks,1.2 steals) has contributed greatly to the Kings.
This contest should be a matchup of contrasting tempos. New Orleans has preferred to play up-tempo (sixth in possessions per game), while Sacramento has been slower-paced (29th in possessions per game).
New Orleans Pelicans at Sacramento Kings Pick
Prediction: ATS Winner – Kings, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
On the road, New Orleans is 6-9-2 ATS with 9 unders and 8 overs.
Sacramento is 6-10 ATS at home with 10 unders and 6 overs.
In contests where they hold opponents below 100 points, New Orleans is 3-0 and Sacramento is 6-2.
In games where they reach 100 points, the Pelicans are 11-21 and the Kings are 12-15.
Sacramento ranks first in fast break points allowed per game (10.8) while New Orleans ranks 25th (14.8).
The Kings rank third in second chance points allowed per game (11.8) while the Pelicans rank 22nd (14.0).
Sacramento ranks 11th in points allowed in the paint per game (46.5) while New Orleans ranks 26th (51.1).
The Pelicans rank 14th in rebounds per game (45.5) while the Kings rank 28th (42.1).
Sacramento averages 34.3 three pointers per game, which ranks 11th in the NBA. New Orleans ranks 21st in three pointers allowed per game (34.5).
The Kings average 17.2 points off turnovers per game, which ranks 15th in the league. The Pelicans rank 24th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.6).
New Orleans ranks 10th in assists per game (24.8) while Sacramento ranks 18th in assists allowed per game (24.3).
In its last five outings, New Orleans is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Sacramento is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Pelicans have outscored opponents by an average of 9.4 points in their last five games. On the season, New Orleans has lost by an average of 4.3 points.
During their last five games, the Kings have scored an average of 108.8 points per game (3.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 113.0 points per game (4.3 above their season average).
