Kings vs. Lakers: NBA odds, Picks and Predictions
Kings vs. Lakers Odds
| Kings Odds | -2.5 |
| Lakers Odds | +2.5 |
| Over/Under | 247.5 |
| Date | Wed, Jan. 18 |
| Time | 10:30 p.m. |
| TV | SportsNet |
Wednesday’s NBA action will conclude with a matchup between the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers tonight in Hollywood. Ahead of tip-off, Sacramento (24-18) owns the fifth-best record in the Western Conference, six games ahead of Los Angeles (20-24), which has the third-worst record out west. Nevertheless, oddsmakers are expecting a competitive game between these two teams, pricing Sacramento as slim 2.5-point road favorites on the spread.
Sacramento Kings
Sabonis listed as questionable
As of this writing, Domantas Sabonis is listed as questionable for tonight’s tilt in Los Angeles, due to an illness. Sabonis has played in 41 of Sacramento’s first 42 games this season, losing at home to the Denver Nuggets in the only contest that he missed.
Per Cleaning the Glass, Sacramento ranks in the 96th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 43rd percentile in defensive efficiency with Sabonis on the floor this year, compared to the 19th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 18th percentile in defensive efficiency when he is on the sidelines.
Notably, in the one game that Sabonis missed this year, the Kings played at a slower pace than their league average, resulting in fewer than 100 possessions against the Nuggets.
Who will step up for Sacramento if Sabonis is OUT?
Per CourtIQ, De’Aaron Fox sees a slight uptick in usage (+1.4%) with Sabonis off of the floor this season. In such situations, Fox is averaging 27.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per 36 minutes of action. On December 27, with Sabonis out of the lineup, Fox had 26 points, one rebound, and four assists in 31 minutes. Kevin Huerter also stepped up in that game, scoring 21 points on 14 shot attempts.
Los Angeles Lakers
Davis OUT, James listed as questionable
Anthony Davis last played on December 16 and will remain on the sidelines for this evening’s contest. In his absence, the Lakers are 8-8 overall, ranking 19th out of 30 teams in Net Rating. Per Cleaning the Glass, Los Angeles ranks in the 50th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 77th percentile in defensive efficiency with Davis on the floor this season, compared to the 51st percentile in offensive efficiency and the 19th percentile in defensive efficiency when he is on the bench.
If James is forced to miss tonight’s contest, the Lakers are likely to struggle on both ends of the floor. When both Davis and James have been off of the court at the same time this year, the Lakers rank in the 5th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 3rd percentile in defensive efficiency, having been outscored by 16.2 points per 100 possessions.
Kings vs. Lakers – Picks & Predictions
Tonight will already be the fourth meeting between the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers this season. The Kings won each of the first two games, but suffered a 136-134 loss at home on January 7. However, bettors should be cautious if using these past matchups to analyze tonight’s contest, considering that Domantas Sabonis, Anthony Davis, and LeBron James could each be in street clothes this evening.
Waiting for confirmation on the status of these key players is the smartest move for risk-averse bettors in this situation. If looking to get ahead of market movement, a small investment on the under could prove worthwhile if Sabonis and James both join Davis on the sidelines for this matchup.
Both Sacramento and Los Angeles have struggled mightily to score the basketball without their stars on the floor during the first half of the campaign. Bettors could be in-store for a low-scoring affair in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
PICK: Under 247.5 (-110, Caesars)
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