The New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings meet Thursday in NBA action at the Golden 1 Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Pelicans vs Kings prediction.
New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans have been in poor form as they’ve lost five of their last eight games overall, but they will be aiming for a third straight victory after taking down the slumping Trail Blazers in a 110-100 road win on Tuesday. Trey Murphy drained five 3-pointers to lead the team with 31 points on nine of 17 shooting, CJ McCollum added 29 points while Zion Williamson chipped in with 22 points, seven rebounds and three assists. As a team, the Pelicans shot just 41 percent from the field and 11 of 36 from the 3-point line as they struggled to get going and fell behind at halftime, before they took over with 35 points in the third quarter to lead by as many as 20 points at one stage.
Sacramento Kings
Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings have been in a rut as they’ve lost five of their last eight games overall and they will be hoping to bounce back after coming up short to the Thunder in a 112-105 road loss on Tuesday. De’Aaron Fox led the team with 33 points, eight rebounds and six assists, Keon Ellis drained eight 3-pointers to finish with 23 points, six rebounds and five assists while Keegan Murray chipped in with 15 points and 10 rebounds. As a team, the Kings shot just 34 percent from the field and 20 of 58 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in full control when they dominated the first half to lead by as many as 20 points, only to let it go to waste in the second half where they got outscored by 67-41.
Sacramento Kings Team Facts
- The Kings have won each of their last 13 games as home favorites against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
- The Kings have failed to cover the spread in each of their last nine home games against Southwest Division opponents.
- Each of the Kings’ last 12 games as home favorites against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
New Orleans Pelicans Team Facts
- The Pelicans have won each of their last four games as underdogs against the Kings.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in 10 of their last 11 games following a road win.
- Each of the Pelicans’ last seven road games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
Pelicans vs Kings prediction
The Pelicans have already ruled out Brandon Ingram, and they have Naji Marshall listed as questionable, while the Kings have listed Jordan Ford and Keegan Murray both as questionable. The Pelicans have been well below their best lately, but they are relatively healthy, and they’ve won their last two games, while the Kings were really struggling and just dropped a close game to the Thunder. The Kings have opened as slight favorites at home, but I think the Pelicans have been the better team and I like them to pull off the minor upset in this spot.