Los Angeles Lakers vs Sacramento Kings Betting Pick & Prediction 12/21/24
At 6:00 ET, the Sacramento Kings (-217) will host the Los Angeles Lakers (+180) in a Western Pacific divisional matchup. The Kings (-6) are favored at home over the Lakers, and the over/under line is set at 227.5.
Los Angeles is currently 7th in the Western Conference with a record of 15-12. They have won two straight games coming into tonight’s matchup. Sacramento is 12th in the West with a record of 13-15 and have lost their last two games.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS VS SACRAMENTO KINGS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Sacramento Kings -6
This game will be played at Golden 1 Center at 6:00 ET on Saturday, December 21st.
WHY BET THE SACRAMENTO KINGS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 137-123 in favor of the Kings.
- Our projections have De’Aaron Fox finishing with 25 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists.
- From the field, we have the Kings finishing with a field goal percentage of 47.2% and knocking down 15 threes.
Will the Lakers Win in Sacramento?
The Lakers improved to 15-12 on the season with a 113-100 win over the Kings on Thursday. Entering the game as +4.5 point underdogs, Los Angeles not only won but covered the spread. The total score of 213 points fell short of the 229.5-point line.
A key moment came when the Lakers went on an 11-0 run, turning a 25-19 deficit into a 30-25 lead. After a 30-25 2nd quarter in favor of the Kings, the Lakers tightened up defensively, winning the 3rd quarter 24-22 and closing out the game by outscoring Sacramento 27-20 in the 4th.
Austin Reaves led the Lakers to a win over the Kings with 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, shooting 50% from the field and hitting 3 threes at 42.9%. Anthony Davis added 21 points and 19 rebounds, despite shooting just 35%, while LeBron James contributed 19 points and 7 assists, shooting 38.1%.
The Lakers shot 40.4% as a team, making 12 threes at a 36.4% clip. Reaves and Davis each scored 8 points in the 4th quarter, with Reaves also adding 8 in the 1st.
The Lakers’ defense tightened up in the 2nd half, allowing just 42 points in the 3rd and 4th quarters to secure a 113-100 win over the Kings. Despite giving up 30 points in the 2nd quarter, they held Sacramento to 22 points in the 3rd and 20 in the 4th.
Los Angeles limited the Kings to 11 made threes on 37% shooting from deep. The Lakers also sent Sacramento to the line 22 times, where they made 15 free throws. Defensively, the Lakers grabbed 39 rebounds, allowing just 4 offensive boards, while adding 8 steals and 10 blocks.
Does Sacramento Have What it Takes to Win as Home Favorites?
The Kings fell to 13-15 on the season after a 113-100 home loss to the Lakers on Thursday. Sacramento, favored by 4.5 points, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The total score of 213 points was well below the 229.5-point line.
After the Lakers went on an 11-0 run early, the Kings fought back in the 2nd quarter, outscoring L.A. 30-25. However, Sacramento couldn’t close the gap, as they were down 86-80 going into the 4th quarter and were outscored 27-20 in the final period.
De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 26 points and 5 assists in their 113-100 loss to the Lakers, shooting 41.2% from the field and hitting 2 threes at 40%. Fox scored 11 points in the 4th quarter, while Malik Monk added 12 of his 17 points in the 2nd quarter, finishing with 3 made threes at 30% efficiency.
Domantas Sabonis contributed 18 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 61.5% from the field. The Kings made 11 threes, shooting 37.9% from deep, with a 45.1% overall field goal percentage.
Despite a strong defensive effort in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, the Kings couldn’t overcome a rough 1st quarter, where they allowed 37 points, leading to a 113-100 loss to the Lakers. Sacramento held Los Angeles to 40% shooting overall.
From beyond the arc, the Kings gave up 12 threes on 36% shooting. They also sent the Lakers to the line 30 times, with Los Angeles converting 25 free throws. Sacramento finished with 7 steals and 6 blocks.