New Orleans Pelicans vs Sacramento Kings Prediction & Picks - NBA

Prediction published on 4/10/24, 11:49 PM  by Lou Aguila | Modified on 4/11/24 at 1:49 AM in NBA Picks

Facing each other for the fifth time this season, the New Orleans Pelicans and the Sacramento Kings will square off in a match that carries some playoff repercussions for both teams.

The Kings opened as slight home favorites at -1.5 despite going 0-4 in the previous four meetings with the Pelicans.

The New Orleans Pelicans:

The Pelicans claimed two consecutive victories against quality opponents this week, outdueling the Suns 113-105 and then cruising past the Blazers, 110-100.

Finally playing healthy after struggling with injuries in the previous years, Zion Williamson delivered solid numbers in back-to-back games to keep New Orleans afloat despite missing the service of All-Star swingman Brandon Ingram.

The former Duke tallied 29 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 blocks in one of the best all-around performances against the Suns. He then followed it up with a 22-point, 7-rebound output against the Blazers two days later.

The Sacramento Kings

The Kings thought this would be the year they were going to make their ascendancy in the West. Instead, they find themselves in a chaotic battle for positioning ahead of the play-in tournament.

With three games left in their regular-season schedule, Sacramento is sitting in the 8th spot with a 45-34 slate, just two games behind the 6th-placed Pelicans.

The Kings have had chances to move up in the standings but they squandered some winnable games. In their recent loss to the OKC Thunder, Sacramento had a 19-point lead at the half before blowing it all in the second half. Domantas Sabonis also saw the end of his double-double streak after recording 8 points and 13 rebounds in 34 minutes.