Sacramento Kings vs. New Orleans Pelicans – The NBA Play-In Tournament heats up with a crucial matchup between the Sacramento Kings (46-36) and the New Orleans Pelicans (49-33). This showdown not only pits two teams with strong season records against each other but also highlights key players like De’Aaron Fox of the Kings and Brandon Ingram of the Pelicans, crucial for sports betting in Canada enthusiasts looking for the edge in their wagers.
Sacramento Kings vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Date & Time: Friday, April 19, 2024, at 9:30 PM ET
Location: Smoothie King Center
TV: TNT
Sacramento Kings vs. New Orleans Pelicans Betting Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Kings | +107 | +1.5 (-110) | 219 over (-110) |
| Pelicans | -127 | -1.5 (-110) | 219 under (-110) |
Sacramento Kings Analysis
Despite the tremendous proof given of their efficacy on offense by averaging 116.6 points per game with 47.7% shooting from the field, the Kings have managed to bring an intense defensive lockdown to their game. Their three point shot is still very important and this very low effort of 36.6 percent still forms part of their offensive strategy.
Sacramento defensively has not been without their own problems which their 12-15 ATS record on the road demonstrates, while the Kings have been an impressive 27-14 ATS contender on the road. The fact that they are either too short to gain the rebound or can not stop the other team’s offense at the right time has been pesky all season. This could make a difference in such a high-level match.
De’Aaron Fox has been the glue for the Kings this season with drop-offs of 26.6 points and 5.6 assists a game. The Blues on the other hand have a very strong defense with the awesome speed and goal scoring ability of their wingers and they must be dealt with immediately in order for the Kings to have a chance of winning.
New Orleans Pelicans Analysis
Regarding the matchup, the Pelicans have done less than that only point per game at 115.1 and do better than that, at a mere 48.6% field goal percentage. Recently, their offensive assurance on either end of the court has been fur-nished by a solid and effective free-throw shooting (77.1%).
In the defensive reasons they stand a little better than the Kings with a better blocks and steals ratio which will give the Pelicans an auspicious opportunity for slowing down the pace of opposing teams and making key stops against the high scoring Kings.
Brandon Ingram‘s performance has really counted for a great deal for the Pelicans with 20.8 points and 5.7 assists pocketed for each game. He is another example of a small forward who could beat the defenders by just handling the ball or using his shots, and he will be very much important in this game with the Kings’ defense.
Sacramento Kings vs. New Orleans Pelicans Against the Spread
The Kings had a rough couple of days, going only 4-1 in their previous five games, and 3-5 against the spread in this period. On the other hand, the New Orleans Pelicans entered the match on a better upswing, accumulating a 4-1 record in the last five games and 3-2 against the spread.
Sacramento Kings vs. New Orleans Pelicans Free Pick
Based on odds, trends, team stats, and key players, here are the picks:
Moneyline: New Orleans Pelicans (-127)
The Pelicans’ stronger recent form and slight home advantage make them the safer bet.
Spread: New Orleans Pelicans -1.5 (-110)
Given their defensive prowess and the Kings’ recent stumbles, backing the Pelicans to cover the small spread seems wise.
Total: Under 219 (-110)
Both teams have shown some defensive strengths, and the pressure of a play-in game could tighten the scoring.
Predicted Score: New Orleans Pelicans 111, Sacramento Kings 106
Having both teams playing defense well and with New Orleans’ stronger offensive capabilities and better consistency stats, the best and potentially winning Play-In Tournament NBA picks would incline to the latter in both moneyline and the spread. Similarly, the potential of the bottom on total parts is quite logical because of the zero-sum nature and recent trends of such games.
