The Kings are hosting the Pelicans on Thursday. On DraftKings Sportsbook, New Orleans is favored by 5.5 points and this game carries a total of 234.5 points.
Let’s dive into my preview and pick for the game.
Kings vs. Pelicans Preview
After getting blown out by the Lakers on Sunday, the Kings put up a better fight vs. the Suns on Tuesday, but still lost 114-103. Sacramento has only won twice in it’s last 21 games and the team sits at a league-worst 14-49 while ranking second-to-last in net rating.
With Domantas Sabonis (knee), Zach LaVine (finger), Keegan Murray (ankle) and De’Andre Hunter (eye) all out, the Kings have been rolling out a starting five of Russell Westbrook, DeMar DeRozan, Nique Clifford, Precious Achiuwa and Maxine Raynaud. Sacramento has lost two straight with this starting five, but believe it or not, this five-man lineup actually owns a +9.3 net rating this season in a sample of 65 minutes. The organization obviously would prefer to keep losing at this point of the season, to improve the team’s chances of landing the No.1 pick, so while a win is unlikely, this this five-man lineup owning a strong net rating gives the Kings some hope of being competitive tonight.
As for the Pelicans, the club is 19-44 and ranks 25th in net rating this season. New Orleans has lost two in a row, but the team won four straight prior to this skid. This is the first leg of a back-to-back set for the Pelicans and as a result, Dejounte Murray will be rested. The guard has been effective since returning from the torn Achilles, averaging 15.5 points and 6.3 assists per game in his first four games. Zion Williamson (ankle) and Trey Murphy (neck) are also both questionable.
Williamson was just able to play through the same designation Tuesday, while this is a new injury for Murphy, that is likely correlated to his recent shoulder injury. It’s difficult to say if they will play with New Orleans right back in action tomorrow, but with the Pelicans being a 5.5-point road favorite for this matchup, it suggests the oddsmakers believe Williamson and Murphy will play.
We should assume Williamson and Murphy will suit up, giving New Orleans an advantage over the Kings. With those two players active on February 9th, the Pelicans blew out the Kings 120-94 in New Orleans, with Murphy and Williamson scoring 21 and 18 points, respectively.
Kings vs. Pelicans Pick, Best Bet
While another 26-point win over the Kings feels unlikely, the Pelicans should get another win over Sacramento tonight.
New Orleans is a strong 8-3 SU and ATS when favorited this season, and the Pelicans should be able to cover this 5.5-point spread.
