New Orleans Pelicans at Sacramento Kings ATS Prediction 12/23/18

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It will be a contest between two sensational offenses when the Sacramento Kings (17-15), 1-point underdogs, meet the New Orleans Pelicans (15-18) at Golden 1 Center. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 239 points and it can be seen on NBC Sports – California at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 23, 2018.

New Orleans Pelicans at Sacramento Kings ATS Odds

The Kings barely escaped the Memphis Grizzlies in their last contest, 102-99, covering as 2-point favorites. The Pelicans, meanwhile, were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers, 112-104, and were not able to cover as 5-point underdogs. The Sacramento game finished 10.5 points under the projected point total of 211.5, while the New Orleans game finished 19.5 points under the projected point total of 235.5.

Sacramento played a nearly perfect game. They had a phenomenally low turnover percentage of 8.2 (better than their season average of 11.9) and a free throw rate of 0.239 (above their season average of 0.177). For those same stats, Memphis had marks of 17.6 and 0.113, respectively. New Orleans, meanwhile, held Los Angeles to an offensive rebounding percentage of 17.0 (below their season average of 22.5). Buddy Hield played well for Sacramento, recording 28 points and eight rebounds. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis played a key role for New Orleans with 30 points, 20 rebounds and five assists.

In their first matchup this year, Nikola Mirotic led the Pelicans to a 149-129 win. He was the game’s leading scorer with 36 points. The two teams combined to put up 278 points, which was well over the projected point total of 232.5, and New Orleans covered as a 12-point favorite. The Pelicans’ offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest strength over the Kings. New Orleans had a rate of 28.6, while Sacramento posted a mark of 18.4.

Pelicans games have a slight tendency to go over the O/U total (48.5 percent). New Orleans holds records of 15-18 straight up (SU) and 15-18 against the spread (ATS).

Kings games have a tendency to go over the total (65.6 percent). Additionally, Sacramento owns records of 17-15 SU and 20-12 ATS.

Hield has taken his game to another level recently for Sacramento, averaging 27 points over the last five games.

There should be plenty of transition action in this matchup that showcases a pair of the NBA’s more up-tempo teams. Sacramento currently ranks fifth in possessions per game (105.4) and New Orleans is fourth (105.5).

New Orleans Pelicans at Sacramento Kings Pick

Pick: SU Winner – Kings, ATS Winner – Kings, O/U – Over

Betting Notes:

  • The Pelicans average 5.575757575757576 blocks per game, which ranks 8 in the league. The Kings rank 16 in blocks allowed per game (5.1875).
  • New Orleans averages 57.5 points in the paint per game, which ranks first in the NBA. Sacramento ranks 29th in points allowed in the paint per game (52.5).
  • The Kings average 22.3 fast break points per game, which ranks first in the league. The Pelicans rank 22nd in fast break points allowed per game (14.5).
  • New Orleans averages 27.2 assists per game, which ranks second in the league. Sacramento ranks 22nd in assists allowed per game (25.3).
  • Sacramento averages 8.15625 steals per game, which ranks 12 in the league. New Orleans ranks 26 in steals allowed per game (8.818181818181818).
  • The Pelicans rank second in second chance points per game (15.7) while the Kings rank 25th in second chance points allowed per game (14.6).
  • The Kings rank 1 in points off turnovers per game (21.21875) while the Pelicans rank 19 in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.454545454545453).
  • New Orleans ranks 22 in three pointers allowed per game (33.09090909090909) while Sacramento ranks 27 (34).
  • New Orleans ranks sixth in rebounds per game (47.4) while Sacramento ranks 29th in rebounds allowed per game (48.3).
  • New Orleans is 2-0 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Sacramento is 5-0.
  • In games where they score over 100 points, the Pelicans are 15-16 and the Kings are 16-13.
  • Sacramento is 10-5 ATS at home, while New Orleans is 7-10 ATS on the road.
  • The total has gone under in 9 of the Pelicans’ 17 road games, while 8 of the Kings’ 15 home games have gone under.

Bettings Trends:

  • The Kings are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Pelicans are 2-3.
  • In their last five games, Sacramento has 4 overs and 1 under, while New Orleans has 4 unders and 1 over.
  • The Kings’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 8.2, up from 1.5 for the season.
  • During their last five games, the Pelicans have scored an average of 106.6 points per game (9.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 112.8 points per game (2.4 below their season average).