New Orleans Pelicans vs Sacramento Kings Betting Prediction

Victor TrejosBasketball, NBA

The New Orleans Pelicans (1-0) get their home schedule underway at Smoothie King Center as 11-point favorites against the Sacramento Kings (0-1). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 229 points and it can be seen on NBC Sports – California at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, October 19, 2018.

Sacramento Kings vs. New Orleans Pelicans ATS Odds

Both teams covered in their last game. The Pelicans (8-point underdogs) beat the Houston Rockets, 131-112, while the Kings (8.5-point underdogs) were defeated by the Utah Jazz, 123-117. Both games went over their projected point totals. The New Orleans game finished 11 points over the projected point total of 232, while the Sacramento game finished 34.5 points over the projected point total of 205.5.

The Pelicans had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (32.6 vs. 16.7) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.582 vs. 0.511). Sacramento, meanwhile, had a much better turnover percentage (8.0 vs. 15.1). New Orleans received a boost from Anthony Davis, who finished with 32 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists. Meanwhile, Willie Cauley-Stein was a key piece for Sacramento with 23 points and seven rebounds.

It will be a showdown of contrasting paces as the fast-breaking Pelicans will look to push the slower-paced Kings. Dating back to the 2017-18 season, the Pelicans rank second in possessions per game while the Kings are 28th. ,

Since last season, the Kings are 27-56 straight up (SU) and 41-39-3 against the spread (ATS). Games featuring Sacramento have had a tendency to go under the O/U total since last season (55.4 percent).

The Pelicans, meanwhile, are 49-34 SU and 39-42-2 ATS since last season. Games including New Orleans have gone under the O/U total 53.0 percent of the time over that same stretch.

This was a highly contested series last year, as the teams split their four games last season. In the most recent contest, the Pelicans won 114-101. New Orleans’ 0.633 effective field goal percentage was its biggest advantage over Sacramento, who had a mark of 0.468.

Sacramento Kings at New Orleans Pelicans Pick

Prediction: SU Winner – Pelicans, ATS Winner – Kings, O/U – Under

Betting Notes (2017-Present):

  • The Pelicans rank 19th in three pointers attempted per game (28.0) while the Kings rank 28th (23.9).
  • Sacramento ranks eighth in second chance points allowed per game (11.6) while New Orleans ranks last (13.7).
  • The Pelicans rank eighth in rebounds per game (44.6) while the Kings rank 28th (40.9).
  • New Orleans ranks third in blocks per game (5.8) while Sacramento ranks 22nd (4.1).
  • Sacramento averages 7.8 steals per game, which ranks 11th in the NBA. New Orleans ranks 23rd in steals allowed per game (8.3).
  • The Pelicans rank third in assists per game (26.9) while the Kings rank 25th (21.5).
  • The Pelicans rank third in fast break points per game (15.6) while the Kings rank 20th (10.5).
  • Sacramento averages 15.4 points off turnovers per game, which ranks 23rd in the league. New Orleans ranks 24th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.5).
  • Sacramento ranks fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (42.3) while New Orleans ranks 26th (47.5).
  • Sacramento is 18-7 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while New Orleans is 13-2.
  • The Kings are 17-22 when they reach the century mark, while the Pelicans are 50-25.
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