Sacramento Kings vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 10/04/2024, 18:00  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 10/04/2024 at 18:10 in NBA Predictions

The New Orleans Pelicans will head to the Golden 1 Center to face the Sacramento Kings in the NBA on Thursday night. The hosts are 45-34 and eighth in the Western Conference while the visitors are 47-32 and sixth in the Conference standings. 

With just two games remaining in the regular season following this matchup, both teams find themselves in a crucial position, separated by only two wins. The Pelicans currently hold the sixth seed, just one game ahead of the Suns, and will enter this contest with momentum following back-to-back victories, including a 110-100 win over Portland on Tuesday night led by Trey Murphy III's 31 points. Offensively, the Pelicans rank 13th, averaging 114.9 points per game, a mere 0.2 points less than the Kings typically allow. Defensively, they have been solid, ranking eighth overall, conceding 110.4 points per game for the season and just 105.3 in their last three games. However, Brandon Ingram and Naji Marshall are uncertain for this match.

Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings are not locked into the Play-In Tournament just yet. They have three games left, taking on the Pelicans here, then play home games against the Suns and Blazers to close the season. However, they come into this off the back of a 112-105 loss to the Thunder, despite De’Aaron Fox and Keon Ellis putting up 33 and 26 points, respectively. Sacramento are a top-ten side when it comes to scoring offense, with 116.5 points per game. They typically score 4.2 more points when playing at home as compared to away. Defensively, they are allowing 115.1 points per game, which lands them at 17th spot across the league. With the Warriors set to face the lowly Trail Blazers and the Lakers taking on the short-handed Grizzlies in their next outings, this feels like a must-win for the Kings.