The Sacramento Kings will take on the New Orleans Pelicans for the second straight night at the Smoothie King Center. Sacramento won the first matchup 119-111 on Wednesday and is looking for a fourth straight win. The Kings are ninth in the Western Conference at 28-26, while the Pelicans sit last at 12-42.
The Pelicans have lost 10 straight games and will try to avoid matching their worst losing streak of the season. Zion Williamson has been a bright spot, scoring 33 points on Wednesday after putting up 40 last Saturday. Sacramento is adjusting to recent roster changes, including adding Markelle Fultz after trading away De’Aaron Fox.
Kings Preview – Looking for a Fourth Straight Win
Sacramento has won three straight, including two against New Orleans. The offense has been effective, with multiple players contributing in Wednesday’s win. Keon Ellis came off the bench to lead the team with 27 points, while DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Domantas Sabonis all scored in double figures.
The Kings made moves at the trade deadline to bolster their roster, acquiring LaVine, Jonas Valanciunas, and Jake LaRavia. LaVine had 23 points and seven assists in Wednesday’s win. The team also signed Fultz to provide more depth at point guard after trading Fox.
Sacramento’s defense remains a concern, allowing 111 points on Wednesday. However, the Kings have consistently outscored the Pelicans in their three meetings this season. They will aim to complete a four-game sweep of the season series.
Pelicans Preview – Struggling to Break Losing Streak
New Orleans has lost 10 straight games and continues to struggle on both ends of the floor. Williamson has been the team’s top performer, scoring 40 and 33 points in the last two games against Sacramento. He has played four straight games but has not appeared in back-to-back games since October.
Jose Alvarado has stepped into a bigger role, making his third straight start on Wednesday. He scored 18 points and had nine assists, providing energy to the lineup. Trey Murphy III added 19 points, but the Pelicans were unable to close the game late.
The Pelicans’ defense has been a major weakness, ranking near the bottom of the league in multiple categories. They allow 119.2 points per game, the 27th-worst mark in the NBA. If they can’t slow down Sacramento, they could head into the All-Star break with an 11-game skid.
Betting Prediction
The Kings are 8.5-point favorites, and given their recent success against New Orleans, they have a strong chance to cover. They have won all three meetings this season, including two by at least eight points. The total is set at 235.5, and with both teams trending toward high-scoring games, the over is worth considering.
New Orleans has struggled against the spread, covering just two of the last 10 games against Sacramento. The Kings have been strong late in games, covering the fourth-quarter spread in 17 of their last 23. Expect Sacramento to control the game and head into the break with a win.
Pick: Sacramento Kings -8.5
Kings win this one, and they win it with some ease. Take Sacramento.
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