Game: New Orleans Pelicans @ Sacramento Kings
Time: 10:00 p.m.
Odds: Pelicans +6, Kings -6
Total: 239
As the New Orleans Pelicans finish a three-game West Coast road trip in Sacramento to play the Kings tonight, they will try to duplicate recent history. Since their last meeting with the Pelicans, the Kings have not suffered two consecutive losses. On February 5, the Kings lost at Indiana and then were humiliated 136-104 by New Orleans two days later.
New Orleans has split the first two games of their road trip. The Pelicans beat Portland 121-110 on Wednesday then lost to Golden State 108-99 on Friday. The Kings had a five-game winning streak snapped on Saturday when the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated them 138-134 at home.
When New Orleans beat the Kings, Trey Murphy II stunned Sacramento as he hit six three-pointers and finished with 30 points. That Pelicans’ victory came amid a run in which the Pelicans won four of five games. Since then, they’ve dropped five of six and are already two games under.500. New Orleans is currently ninth in the Western Conference standings. The Pelicans begin a four-game homestand on Wednesday where they will face four straight Western Conference playoff teams.
Brandon Ingram will be the key for New Orleans and whether they can hold onto their spot in the play-in tournament. Zion Williamson’s future is still uncertain due to a strained right hamstring. The Pelicans had the best record in the West in mid-December, but are now on the verge of not making the postseason.
Ingram is doing his best to keep the Pelicans in contention. He scored more than 30 points five times in his last ten games, including a season-high 40 on Wednesday in Portland’s victory. Ingram didn’t play in the last game against the Kings. Neither did Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox. Fox has been lighting it up as well. He scored 25 points in Saturday’s loss to the Timberwolves. Prior to that, the Kings’ All-Star had scored 30 or more points in eight consecutive games. Kevin Huerter was the Kings leading scorer against Minnesota with 29 points.
Sacramento hasn’t been in the playoffs since 2006. They are in a good spot right now sitting in third place in the West. The Kings are two games ahead of fourth-place Phoenix. Sacramento has played well against good competition too. They are 6-3 in their last nine against playoff contenders. The Kings have a tough stretch coming with the Knicks, Suns, and Bucks all up after New Orleans.
New Orleans is just 1-5 SU and ATS in its last six games. The Pelicans are 2-10 SU in their last 12 road games, but they have had some success against the Kings. In the last six against Sacramento, New Orleans is 4-2 SU and ATS.
The Kings are 5-1 SU and 4-2 ATS in their last six games. Sacramento leads the NBA in scoring (121.6 ppg). The Over has hit in 13 of the Kings’ last 19 games. The Over has also hit in each of the last five Kings home games and in six of the last eight when playing the Pelicans at home.
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