LA Lakers (14-12) vs. Sacramento Kings (13-14)
December 19, 2024 10:00 pm EDT
The Line: Sacramento Kings -4.5; Over/Under: +228.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Los Angeles Lakers pay a visit to the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center on Thursday night. Here’s a Sacramento Kings vs LA Lakers Prediction. This article will include a Sacramento Kings vs LA Lakers Pick.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have been in a funk as they’ve lost eight of their last 12 games overall, but they will be looking to build some momentum after beating the Grizzlies in a 116-110 win on Sunday. Anthony Davis led the team with 40 points, 16 rebounds, and two assists, Austin Reaves added 19 points with eight assists while LeBron James chipped in with 18 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. As a team, the Lakers shot 47 percent from the field and 10 of 34 from the 3-point line as they jumped all over the Grizzlies from the start and took a 23-point lead before they took their foot off the gas and allowed the Grizzlies to make it interesting at the end.
Sacramento Kings
Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings have been in decent shape as they’ve won four of their last six games overall, but they will be hoping for a better result in this one after having their three-game win streak halted by the Nuggets in a 130-129 loss on Monday. De’Aaron Fox led the team with 29 points and seven assists, Domantas Sabonis tallied 28 points with 14 rebounds and six assists while Malik Monk chipped in with 25 points with 10 assists. As a team, the Kings shot 48 percent from the field and 12 of 35 from the 3-point line as they showed plenty of fight to erase a 23-point deficit and lead by 10 points, only to get outscored by 21-10 in the final 3:55 to lose by one point in the end.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Lakers have won nine of their last 10 games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Kings have lost three of their last four games as favorites when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Kings have failed to cover the spread in each of their last 10 Thursday games.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in six of their last seven road games against Pacific Division opponents that held a losing record.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Lakers’ last nine games against Western Conference opponents has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Kings’ last eight home games against Western Conference opponents has gone OVER the total points line.
Sacramento Kings Player Facts
- Domantas Sabonis is the only player to have recorded a 30-point, 20-rebound game this season.
- De’Aaron Fox ranks 5th in the league for points in the paint (346) this season.
Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts
- Anthony Davis ranks 2nd in the league for points in the paint (404) this season.
- LeBron James ranks 1st amongst qualified Forwards for assists per game (9.1) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Kings rank 29th in the league for opponent three-point percentage this season (37.7%).
- The Kings rank 3rd in the league for free throw percentage this season (80.7%).
- The Lakers rank T1st in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (4.0).
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for Q2 win percentage this season (69.2%).
Sacramento Kings vs LA Lakers Prediction
The Lakers are still missing Christian Wood and Jarred Vanderbilt, while the Kings have listed Kevin Huerter as doubtful for this meeting. The Lakers were really struggling before they got the upset win over the Grizzlies on Sunday, while the Kings were starting to heat up before they lost a heartbreaker to the Nuggets on Monday. The Kings have been the more consistent team and they are playing at home, so I see why they’re favorites, but the Lakers haven’t played since Sunday and I think they can come out swinging and come away with the much-needed road win.
