The New Orleans Pelicans (11-24) will travel to the Golden 1 Center to square off with the Sacramento Kings (13-22). The game can be seen on NBC Sports – California at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 4, 2020.
New Orleans Pelicans at Sacramento Kings Betting Odds
The Kings hope to keep it rolling after covering the 4-point spread against the Memphis Grizzlies in their last outing, 128-123. The Pelicans, meanwhile, were topped by the Los Angeles Lakers, 123-113, and were not able to cover as 5-point underdogs. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The Sacramento game finished 26.5 points over the projected point total of 224.5, while the New Orleans game finished 13 points over the projected point total of 223.
Sacramento played a nearly flawless game. They had a turnover percentage of 10.4 (better than their season average of 13.1) and a free throw rate of 0.289 (above their season average of 0.166). Memphis put up marks of 14.3 and 0.215, respectively, for those same stats. New Orleans, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (9.5 vs. 10.9). Sacramento was lifted by De’Aaron Fox, who finished with 27 points, nine assists and five steals. Meanwhile, Derrick Favors fueled New Orleans with 15 points and 14 rebounds.
The Pelicans edged out the Kings in this series last year, securing victories in three out of four games. In the most recent contest, New Orleans won 133-129. New Orleans’ effective field goal percentage was its biggest strength over Sacramento. The Pelicans had a rate of 0.609 while the Kings posted a mark of 0.532. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Pelicans games, with 18 unders compared to 16 overs. New Orleans holds records of 11-24 straight up (SU) and 13-19-2 against the spread (ATS).
Of the Kings’ 35 games, 20 have finished under the projected point total. Further, Sacramento owns records of 13-22 SU and 18-17 ATS.
The Pelicans’ Favors has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 13 rebounds,10.4 points,3.2 assists,1.2 blocks per game. Meanwhile, Richaun Holmes has averaged 17 points,10.0 rebounds,1.4 blocks,1.2 steals during that same time frame for the Kings.
It will be a battle of contrasting tempos as the up-tempo Pelicans (ranked sixth in the NBA in possessions per game) will look to push the more grind-it-out Kings (29th in possessions per game).
New Orleans Pelicans at Sacramento Kings Odds Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Pelicans, ATS Winner – Pelicans, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Sacramento ranks first in fast break points allowed per game (10.8) while New Orleans ranks 25th (14.8).
- The Pelicans rank 14th in rebounds per game (45.5) while the Kings rank 28th (42.1).
- Sacramento ranks 11th in three pointers attempted per game (34.3) while New Orleans ranks 21st in three pointers allowed per game (34.5).
- New Orleans ranks 10th in assists per game (24.8) while Sacramento ranks 18th in assists allowed per game (24.3).
- The Kings rank third in second chance points allowed per game (11.8) while the Pelicans rank 22nd (14.0).
- The Kings rank 15th in points off turnovers per game (17.2) while the Pelicans rank 24th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.6).
- Sacramento ranks 11th in points allowed in the paint per game (46.5) while New Orleans ranks 26th (51.1).
- In games where they hold opponents below 100 points, Sacramento is 6-2 and New Orleans is 3-0.
- When scoring above 100 points, the Kings are 12-15 and the Pelicans are 11-21.
- Sacramento is 6-10 ATS at home, while New Orleans is 6-9-2 ATS on the road.
- The Pelicans have 9 unders and 8 overs in 17 road games.
- Of the Kings’ 16 home games, they have 10 unders and 6 overs.
Bettings Trends:
- The Pelicans are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Kings are 2-3.
- In their last five games, New Orleans has 3 unders and 2 overs, while Sacramento has 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Pelicans have outscored opponents by an average of 9.4 points in their last five games. On the season, New Orleans has lost by an average of 4.3 points.
- During their last five games, the Kings have scored an average of 108.8 points per game (3.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 113.0 points per game (4.3 above their season average).
