The Sacramento Kings (28-36) will be at home in the Golden 1 Center when they square off with the New Orleans Pelicans (28-36). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 235 points with New Orleans opening as a 1.5-point favorite. Action begins at 10:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, and it can be seen on ESPN.
New Orleans Pelicans at Sacramento Kings Free Preview
The Pelicans beat the Minnesota Timberwolves in their last outing, 120-107, covering as 7-point favorites. Jrue Holiday was the top scorer from either team with 37 points on 13-for-20 shooting. The Pelicans held the Timberwolves to an offensive rebounding percentage of 17.0 (below their season average of 22.2) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.436 (below their season average of 0.514). The two teams combined to score 227 points, which came in well under the projected point total of 249.
In the Kings’ last outing, they were defeated by the Toronto Raptors, 118-113. De’Aaron Fox led Sacramento in scoring with 28 points on 8-for-16 shooting. Toronto had an effective field goal percentage of 0.591 (above their season average of 0.535). Sacramento, on the other hand, held the Raptors to an offensive rebounding percentage of 4.8 (below their season average of 21.6). The two teams combined to account for 231 points, which came in over the projected point total of 225.5.
It will be a battle of contrasting tempos as the up-tempo Pelicans (ranked second in the league in possessions per game) will look to push the more methodical Kings (22nd in possessions per game).
Of New Orleans’ 64 games, 35 have finished over the O/U total, while 34 of Sacramento’s 64 games have finished over the projected point total. Both teams have mediocre straight up (SU) records (28-36 for New Orleans; 28-36 for Sacramento), but the Kings hold a slight edge against the spread (ATS). Sacramento is 33-30-1 ATS, while the Pelicans are 31-29-4.
These two teams have already met once this season. The two teams combined to put up 232 points in that game, which was just over the projected point total of 228. The Pelicans won 117-115, covering as 3-point underdogs. New Orleans had a better turnover percentage (12.9 vs. 16.6). Sacramento, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (28.6 vs. 19.6). Ball recorded a double-double with 24 points and 10 assists.
Pelicans at Kings Betting Prediction
Pick: SU Winner – Pelicans, ATS Winner – Pelicans, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
The Pelicans rank third in assists per game (27.0) while the Kings rank 22nd (23.4).
New Orleans ranks 12th in blocks per game (5.1) while Sacramento ranks 25th (4.2).
Sacramento ranks 10th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.3) while New Orleans ranks 28th (19.3).
New Orleans averages 37.6 three pointers per game, which ranks sixth in the league. Sacramento ranks 18th in three pointers allowed per game (34.6).
New Orleans is 16-12-4 ATS on the road, while Sacramento is 12-18-1 ATS at home.
In 32 road games, the Pelicans have 18 overs and 14 unders.
In 31 home games, the Kings have 17 overs and 14 unders.
In games where they allow below 100 points, Sacramento is 10-2 and New Orleans is 3-0.
In games where they reach 100 points, the Pelicans are 28-33 and the Kings are 26-29.
The Kings rank 10th in points allowed in the paint per game (46.4) while the Pelicans rank 27th (53.0).
New Orleans ranks fourth in rebounds per game (47.0) while Sacramento ranks 27th (42.5).
The Kings rank fourth in second chance points allowed per game (11.7) while the Pelicans rank 24th (13.6).
The Kings rank 15th in steals per game (7.6) while the Pelicans rank 27th in steals allowed per game (8.6).
Sacramento ranks eighth in fast break points allowed per game (12.6) while New Orleans ranks 27th (15.9).
Bettings Trends:
Sacramento is 2-2-1 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under in its last five games.
Over its past five outings, New Orleans is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
The Kings have outscored opponents by an average of 0.6 points in their last five games. On the season, Sacramento has lost by an average of 1.9 points.
During their last five games, the Pelicans have scored an average of 120.2 points per game (4.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 119.8 points per game (2.8 above their season average).
