The Sacramento Kings travel to the Crypto.com Arena to take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night. Here’s a Lakers vs Kings Prediction. This article will include a Lakers vs Kings Pick.
Sacramento Kings Betting Preview
The Sacramento Kings have been in a slump as they’ve lost 11 of their last 14 games overall, but they will be eager to build some momentum after outlasting the Mavericks in a gritty 113-107 win last night. Russell Westbrook led the team with 21 points and nine assists on eight of 16 shooting, Keon Ellis added 21 points while Maxime Raynaud chipped in with 19 points on nine of 15 shooting. As a team, the Kings shot 43 percent from the field and 17 of 38 from the 3-point line, but this win was set up by their effort on the defensive end. They were never really in danger after limiting the Mavericks to just 44 points in the first half. The Kings led by as many as 17 points in this one which proved to be just enough as the Mavericks cut the lead to just four points with 11.4 seconds left on the clock.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers have cooled off lately as they’ve lost six of their last 10 games and they will be hoping to snap a three-game losing streak after getting scorched by the Rockets in a 119-96 loss on Christmas Day. Luka Doncic led the team with 25 points and seven assists on nine of 17 shooting, LeBron James added 18 points with five assists while Austin Reaves chipped in with just 12 points. As a team, the Lakers shot 51 percent from the field and 11 of 30 from the 3-point line, but they struggled to generate offense from the start and trailed by 10 points at halftime. Things got ugly in the second half where they scored just 43 points to get blown out in front of their home fans. Luka Doncic was sloppy with the ball as he racked up six turnovers, while the usually reliable Rui Hachimura finished scoreless on zero of six shooting from the field.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Lakers have won each of their last 16 Sunday night games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Kings have lost 16 of their last 17 road games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Kings have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games against Pacific Division opponents that held a losing record.
Why the Sacramento Kings will win
- The underdogs have won seven of the last eight games between the Kings and Lakers.
- The Lakers have lost three of their last four games as favorites against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games as favorites against Western Conference opponents.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in seven of the last eight games between the Kings and Lakers.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Lakers’ last seven games as home favorites have gone OVER the total points line.
- Five of the Kings’ last six road games against Pacific Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (3.8).
- The Lakers rank 30th in the league for opponent three-point percentage this season (38.4%).
- The Kings rank 30th in the league for opponent field goal percentage this season (49.6%).
- The Kings rank 30th in the league for Q4 win percentage this season (22.6%).
Lakers vs Kings Prediction
The Kings are still playing without Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray and Devin Carter, while the Lakers have ruled out Austin Reaves, Jaxson Hayes and Gabe Vincent. The Kings have been one of the coldest teams in the league lately, but they would’ve taken so much confidence from their hard fought win over the Mavericks last night. The Lakers have been struggling themselves as the injuries are starting to pile up, which prompted a team meeting to attempt to recalibrate. I don’t think the Lakers should be favored by so many points in this one given their recent form, but I don’t think it will matter. I have the Lakers responding from their recent loss with a blowout win over the Kings in this spot.