Sports
Sportsbooks
Casino
Top Lists
Compare Sportsbook
More

The Pelicans and Kings are set to face off at 6:00 ET on NBCS. The Kings will host the game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, CA. The over/under for this Western conference contest is set at 235.5 points, with the Kings being the favored team playing at home against the Pelicans.

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS VS SACRAMENTO KINGS BETTING PICK

The Pick: New Orleans Pelicans +3.5

This game will be played at Golden 1 Center at 6:00 ET on Sunday, January 7th.

WHY BET THE NEW ORLEANS PELICANS:

  • We have this one finishing with a projected score of 115-114 in favor of the Pelicans.
  • Our projections have Brandon Ingram finishing with Brandon Ingram points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists.
  • From the field, we have the Pelicans finishing with a field goal percentage of 48.6% and knocking down 12 threes.

Can the Pelicans Pull Off a Win at Sacramento?

As the Pelicans get ready to take on the Kings, they are the 3.5-point underdogs on the road. Before today's game, New Orleans is 7th in the West on a record of 21-15. If they are able to pull off the win, they will also move into a tie for the 6th best road record, as they have won five straight on the road.

So far, the Pelicans have been the underdog in 16 of their 36 games and have gone 10-6 against the spread in those games. Their average scoring margin as the underdog is -0.4 points per game, and they have had a higher scoring differential in three straight games vs. the spread.

When looking at the over/under results for the Pelicans, their games have averaged 227.2 points this season, and they have an over/under record of 17-19. In their previous games with higher over/under lines than today's line of 235.5, they have gone 5-4.

Against other teams in the Western Conference, New Orleans has gone 14-13 compared to 7-2 in non-conference games. For the season, they are in 2nd place in the Southwest Division.

In their most recent game, the Pelicans scored 95 points and shot 35.9% from the field. This was below their season average of 115.3 points per game. One positive for the Pelicans offense has been their ability to get to the line, as they are 5th in free-throw attempts per game. Overall, the Pelicans are shooting 48% from the field.

On defense, the Pelicans come into the game ranked 10th in the league in points allowed at 111.9 per game. Over their last three games, the team is allowing 100.7 points per contest (11th). New Orleans' defense is currently forcing 12.9 turnovers per game, which is 13th in the league. Additionally, they enter the game ranked 21st in blocked shots, with an average of 4.8 rejections per game.

Can the Kings Live Up to the Hype at Home?

As the Kings get ready to host the Pelicans, they are favored by 3.5 points. If they are able to cover, they will also move their current straight-up win streak to three games. Overall, Sacramento is 21-13 and in 5th place in the West.

Against the spread, the Kings have a record of 18-16 this season. When playing at home, they have an average scoring margin of +1.7 points per game and are 13-6 for the season.

Sacramento's over/under record coming into today's game is 18-16, and the over has hit in each of their last two games. Today's line of 235.5 is just below their average over/under line of 235.8. In their previous games with lower over/under lines than 235.5, their record is 7-8.

When favored, the Kings have gone 17-10 this season and have also covered the spread in two straight games at home. Their average scoring margin as the favorite is -0.3 points per game.

Sacramento is putting up 122.4 points per game at home, good for 6th in the NBA. Overall, they are averaging 118.3 points per game, which is 8th in the league. In terms of field goal percentage, the Kings are 15th in the NBA at 47%. When it comes to three-point shooting, they are 11th in percentage and 3rd in three-pointers made.

Looking at the Kings defense, they will be looking for a better performance considering they are currently conceding 117.5 points per game (22nd). On two point field goal attempts, the Kings' defensive unit is allowing a field goal percentage of 55.0% and allowing 37.6% from beyond the arc.