Sacramento Kings (13-18) vs. LA Lakers (17-13)
December 28, 2024 10:30 pm EDT
The Line: LA Lakers -2.5; Over/Under: +222.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers collide at the crypto.com Arena on Saturday night.
Here’s a LA Lakers vs Sacramento Kings Prediction. This article will include a LA Lakers vs Sacramento Kings Pick.
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings have been ice-cold lately as they are now looking to avoid a sixth straight defeat after getting beaten by the Pistons in a 114-113 home defeat on Thursday. De’Aaron Fox led the team with 26 points, six rebounds and four assists, Trey Lyles added 20 points off the bench while DeMar DeRozan chipped in with 19 points. As a team, the Kings shot 47 percent from the field and 14 of 39 from the 3-point line as they dominated the first half to lead by as many as 19 points, but they allowed the Pistons to hang around and it cost them in the fourth quarter where they leaked 37 points to lose the lead with just 3.0 seconds left on the clock.
Los Angeles Lakers
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers have been in great shape as they’ve won four of their last five games overall and they will be eager to stay hot after sneaking past the Warriors in a thrilling 115-113 road win on Christmas Day. LeBron James led the team with 31 points and 10 assists on 12 of 22 shooting, Austin Reaves racked up a triple-double of 26 points with 10 rebounds and 10 assists while Rui Hachimura chipped in with 18 points. As a team, the Lakers shot 45 percent from the field and 15 of 42 from the 3-point line as they squandered a nine-point lead in the final 1:30 of the fourth quarter, before Reaves saved the day with a clutch drive and layup with just 1.1 seconds left on the clock.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Lakers have won each of their last 10 Saturday games against the Kings.
- The Kings have lost eight of their last nine games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Kings have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in each of their last seven Saturday games against the Kings.
Total Points Facts
- Eleven of the Lakers’ last 12 games against Western Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Six of the Kings’ last seven night games against the Lakers following a home loss have gone OVER the total points line.
LA Lakers vs Sacramento Kings Prediction
The Kings are sweating on the availability of Domantas Sabonis who is questionable with an illness, while the Lakers are keeping eyes on LeBron James, Rui Hachimura and Anthony Davis who are all questionable. The Kings have been one of the biggest disappointments of the season so far that the franchise finally pulled the plug and fired coach Mike Brown. In contrast, the Lakers look to have moved on from their rough stretch and are coming into this game fresh off a thrilling upset win on Christmas Day. There are a lot of players listed with the questionable tag, but at this time of writing, I am still more interested in the Lakers at the short line as they have clearly been the better team with more upside at the moment. I’m sure we will see the Kings bounce back at some stage, but until they win a few games, it is best to continue to fade the Kings.
