Miami Heat (17-16) vs. Sacramento Kings (16-19)
January 6, 2025 10:00 pm EDT
The Line: Sacramento Kings -2.5; Over/Under: +224.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Sacramento Kings play host to the Miami Heat at the Golden 1 Center on Monday night. Here’s a Sacramento Kings vs Miami Heat Prediction. This article will include a Sacramento Kings vs Miami Heat Pick.
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat have been in a real slump as they’ve lost six of their last 10 games overall and they will be hoping to snap a two-game skid after getting trampled by the Jazz in a 136-100 home defeat on Saturday. Nikola Jovic led the team with 17 points on seven of 14 shooting, Duncan Robinson added 16 points off the bench, while Tyler Herro chipped in with 15 points and six assists.
As a team, the Heat shot just 43 percent from the field and nine of 35 from the 3-point line. The Heat saw their issues on the defensive end, as they allowed 40 points in the second quarter and another 74 points in the second half to suffer their worst defeat of the season so far. Terry Rozier had a rough night as he scored just eight points on four of nine shooting, while Bam Adebayo finished with just four points on zero of six shooting from the field. The Heat will play the Warriors, Jazz, and Trail Blazers next.
Sacramento Kings
Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings have been a team on the rise as they are now gunning for a fifth straight victory after making light work of the Warriors in a 129-99 road win last night. Malik Monk led the team with 26 points, 12 assists, and four steals, Domantas Sabonis tallied 22 points with 13 rebounds and seven assists while Kevin Huerter chipped in with 16 points off the bench.
As a team, the Kings shot 51 percent from the field and an efficient 19 of 43 from the 3-point line. The Kings jumped all over the Warriors from the start, setting the tone with 75 points in the first half to take a 24-point lead into halftime. The Kings went on another push in the third quarter to lead by as many as 39 points. The Kings will face the Celtics and Bulls following this one.
Why the Sacramento Kings will win
- The Kings have won seven of their last eight home games against Southeast Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Heat have lost each of their last three road games on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Heat have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four road games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Kings have covered the spread in five of their last six home games against Heat teams that held a winning record.
Why the Miami Heat will win
- The Kings have lost each of their last nine games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Heat.
- The Heat have won each of their last nine night games against the Kings following a home loss.
- The Kings have failed to cover the spread in each of their last 12 games as home favorites on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Heat have covered the spread in each of their last seven road games when playing with a rest advantage.
Sacramento Kings Player Facts
- Domantas Sabonis ranks 1st amongst qualified players for second chance points per game (4.2) this season.
- Malik Monk ranks T18th amongst qualified players for FT% (88.8%) this season.
Miami Heat Player Facts
- Tyler Herro ranks 6th amongst qualified players for three-pointers made Per Game (3.8) this season.
- Terry Rozier ranks 13th amongst qualified players for FT% (89.5%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Kings rank 29th in the league for opponent three-point percentage this season (38.0%).
- The Kings rank 29th in the league for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (14.6).
- The Heat rank 30th in the league for blocks per game this season (3.6).
- The Heat rank 2nd in the league for opponent free throw attempts per game this season (18.4).
Sacramento Kings vs Miami Heat Prediction
The Heat are still missing Josh Richardson, and they have Haywood Highsmith listed as questionable, while the Kings will again be missing De’Aaron Fox, who is out with a hip contusion. The Heat have struggled to build momentum over the past two weeks with all the Jimmy Butler drama going on, while the Kings have looked like a new team as they’ve reeled off four straight wins. I expected the Heat to beat the Jazz in their last outing, but they looked terrible, and I think they’re about to lose this one unless they can get big games from players like Herro and Adebayo. The Kings have sprung to life over their last four games and I think they maintain that momentum with another win and cover despite playing on zero days rest.
