It almost feels right that the Kings are opening up their preseason schedule with the Raptors, as these two organizations feel like they’re in a very similar place. Both teams finished below .500 last season. Both teams’ best case scenario for 2025-26 is probably the Play-In Tournament. Both teams have a strong connection to DeMar DeRozan. It’s all right there, people.
Anyway, DraftKings Sportsbook has you covered with odds and props for all NBA preseason action, so let’s preview this 10:00 p.m. ET contest from a betting perspective.
Raptors vs. Kings prediction, preview
This is pretty much the same Kings squad we all got to know last season. The team did go out and acquire a couple veteran pieces in Dennis Schroder and Dario Saric, but the engine of this franchise continues to be Domantas Sabonis, who led the NBA in rebounds per game (13.9) in 2024-25 and has now done so each of the past three years. Supplementing Sabonis on the offense end of the floor are the aforementioned DeRozan and Zach LaVine, two veteran wings with a track record for producing more than 20 points per game.
Still, as it pertains specifically to tonight, it’s hard to know how much we’re going to see of these established veterans. If anything, I’d be expecting quite a bit of run for Nique Clifford, Sacramento’s first-round pick this past summer, and Devin Carter, Sacramento’s 2024 lottery pick, who needs all the floor time he can get after an injury-plagued rookie campaign.
The Raptors are in a slightly different scenario than the Kings, in that Wednesday marks the team’s second preseason contest. So, we already have a loose idea of what we’re going to see. Toronto dropped its opener to the Nuggets in Vancouver, as part of the organization’s 2025 Canada Series. The big takeaways from that tilt were Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes.
On the positive side of things, Ingram looked good in his first “real” game action since December 7 of 2024. In 22.2 minutes, Ingram made half of his team-high 12 field goal attempts, finishing the eventual defeat with 19 points and a 28.4% usage rate — another team-best. Conversely, Barnes didn’t make any of his six shots, as he ended up with a single point and a 17.0% usage rate. For context, Barnes had a 27.0% usage rate in 2024-25. This is going to be the main story to watch with the Raptors as the early part of the season unfolds. How will Barnes find his offense playing next to more natural shot creators in Ingram and RJ Barrett? At least on Monday night, Barnes seems more interested in facilitating and playing defense.
Raptors vs. Kings pick, best bet
Best Bet: Brandon Ingram 15+ Points (-125)
Ingram was the Raptors’ No. 1 option in its first preseason game and Darko Rajakovic will want the former All-Star to continue to get minutes in the preseason in an effort to mesh with his new teammates.
