Sacramento Kings vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction and Betting Tips | Dec. 12, 2024
The New Orleans Pelicans host the Sacramento Kings on Thursday for their first encounter of the 2024-25 NBA season. The Pelicans swept the Kings 5-0 in their 2023-24 season series.
Sacramento Kings vs New Orleans Pelicans game details and odds
The Kings-Pelicans matchup is scheduled to tip off at 8:00 p.m. ET on Thursday at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
Fans in and around Sacramento can watch the game on NBCSCA, while New Orleans residents can catch it on Gulf Coast Sports. The contest can also be live-streamed on FuboTV or via NBA League Pass.
Moneyline: Kings (-215) vs Pelicans (+190)
Spread: Kings (-5.5) vs Pelicans (+5.5)
Total (O/U): -110 (o231.5) / -110 (u231.5)
Note: The odds could change before tipoff.
Sacramento Kings vs New Orleans Pelicans Preview
The Sacramento Kings are 12th in the Western Conference with a 12-13 record and have won four of their last 10 games. They are riding a two-game winning streak after securing a blowout 141-97 victory against the Utah Jazz on Sunday. Domantas Sabonis led the team's winning effort with his double-double performance of 19 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, one steal and a block.
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans are last in the Western Conference with a 5-20 record. They have won just one of their last 10 games and are on a two-game losing streak after being defeated 121-116 by the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday. Trey Murphy III led their losing effort in the game with 25 points, six rebounds, five assists, one steal and a block.
For Thursday's game, the Kings will be without Devin Carter and Trey Lyles. Sacramento is projected to deploy a starting lineup of De'Aaron Fox (PG), Malik Monk (SG), DeMar DeRozan (SF), Keegan Murray (PF) and Domantas Sabonis (C).
Meanwhile, the Pelicans will be without Jose Alvarado, Jordan Hawkins, Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Karlo Matkovic. Javonte Green is listed as questionable for the game.
New Orleans will likely use a starting lineup of Dejounte Murray (PG), CJ McCollum (SG), Herbert Jones (SF), Trey Murphy III (PF) and Yves Missi (C).
Sacramento Kings vs New Orleans Pelicans Betting Tips
Consider De'Aaron Fox possibly recording under 24.5 points in the upcoming matchup. Although he is averaging 26.4 points this season, he has not surpassed this mark in the past six games.
Similarly, it might be worth noting that Dejounte Murray could record under 2.5 made threes in the game. With a 25.5% shooting percentage from beyond the arc, he has only exceeded this number twice in the eight games he's played this season.
Sacramento Kings vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction
The Kings are expected to clinch a convincing home victory against the struggling Pelicans on Thursday. They aim to maintain the momentum they have built over the past few games to turn over a new leaf this season.