The Sacramento Kings (45-34) and the New Orleans Pelicans (47-32) play in a Western Conference duel on Thursday. This is the fifth matchup of the season between these these teams but New Orleans has completely dominated. It's won four straight games over the Kings, and on Jan. 7, the Pelicans blew out Sacramento 133-100. Brandon Ingram (knee) remains out for New Orleans.
Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. The Kings are 1.5-point favorites in the latest Pelicans vs. Kings odds, per SportsLine consensus. The over/under for total points is 215.5. Before making any Kings vs. Pelicans picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer simulation model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 25 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 83-58 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,200. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on New Orleans vs. Sacramento and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Kings vs. Pelicans:
- Pelicans vs. Kings spread: Sacramento -1.5
- Pelicans vs. Kings Over-Under: 215.5 points
- Pelicans vs. Kings money line: Sacramento -120, New Orleans +101
- SAC: Has hit the 1H Game Total Under in 13 of its last 15 games
- NO: Has hit the money line in 23 of its last 31 away games
- Pelicans vs. Kings picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Pelicans can cover
Guard Trey Murphy III is a nice perimeter threat as he has a smooth jumper as a catch-and-shoot option. He also brings intensity on the defensive end, and the Virginia product logs 14.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and shoots 36% from downtown. In his last outing, Murphy had 31 points, eight rebounds, and made five 3-pointers.
Center Jonas Valanciunas provides the Pelicans with a powerful but feisty presence in the lane. Valanciunas has a nice touch around the basket and fights on the glass. He averages 12.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and shoots 56% from the floor. On April 5 versus the San Antonio Spurs, Valanciunas tallied 26 points, seven boards, and seven assists. See which team to pick here.
Why the Kings can cover
Guard De'Aaron Fox is an explosive floor general who owns a blazing quick first step with the athleticism to soar above the rim and get into passing lanes. The Kentucky product can also space the court. Fox leads the team in scoring (26.5) and steals (2) with 5.6 assists per game. On April 5 versus the Celtics, Fox had 40 points, two assists, and made seven 3-pointers.
Center Domantas Sabonis is a menace in the paint. Sabonis continues to be an excellent rebounder and has such a soft touch around the rim. The former Gonzaga standout leads the NBA in rebounds and is fifth in assists. He averages 19.4 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game. Sabonis' double-double streak ended at 61 games when he posted eight points and 13 boards in Tuesday's loss to Oklahoma City. See which team to pick here.
How to make Pelicans vs. Kings picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 226 points. The model also says one side hits in well over 50% of simulations. You can only see the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who Kings vs. Pelicans, and which side hits in well over 50% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see the picks, all from the model that's on a sizzling 83-58 roll on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.
