Check out our free Kings vs Lakers pick and preview for this NBA game in Los Angeles. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this NBA matchup.
Kings vs Lakers NBA Pick & Preview
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: Sacramento Kings at Los Angeles Lakers
- Where: Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena
- Date: Wednesday, January 18th
- Betting Odds LAL +4, SAC -174 | LAL +143 O/U 245.5
So far, the Kings have put together an overall record of 24-18, while going 23-18-1 vs the spread. Sacramento comes into the game having rattled off 4 straight wins. In these games, they have an average scoring differential of 20.75 points.
In their previous game, the Kings took down the Spurs by a score of 132-119. Not only did they come away with a straight up win, but they also covered the spread as 6 point favorites. Although Sacramento trailed the Spurs going into halftime, by the end of the 3rd quarter they had taken the lead. Leading the team in scoring was Harrison Barnes, as he contributed 29 points while hitting 72.7% of his shots.
So far, the Lakers have put together an overall record of 20-24, while going 20-21-3 vs the spread. Across the team’s previous 3 games, they have gone 1-2 straight-up and 2-1 vs the spread.
The Lakers will look to keep things rolling, as they previously beat the Rockets by a score of 140-132. Heading into the game, they were 7 point favorites against the spread, giving them an ATS win. Los Angeles played well enough in the second half to prevent the Rockets from making things interesting down the stretch, as they led by 12 going into halftime. Leading the team in scoring was LeBron James, as he contributed 48 points while hitting 61.5% of his shots.
Head To Head Recap & Stats
I In last year’s head-to-head meetings, the Kings averaged 118.0 points per game vs Los Angeles, which was an increase over their season-long average. On the other side, the Lakers also experienced an uptick in scoring during head-to-head matchups, averaging 123.0 points per game vs Sacramento. In terms of betting, Sacramento has an ATS record of 3-2 in the previous 5 matchups vs Los Angeles. This mark has come on an average scoring margin of +4 points per game in favor of the Kings. A combined average of 246 points per game was achieved in these matchups, leading to an over-under mark of 5-0.
Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game
The Sacramento offense will take the floor in today’s game with the league’s 1st ranked offense at 120.0 points per game. The Kings come into the game as one of the league’s better 3-point shooting teams, connecting at a rate of 13.7 made 3’s per game. In addition to their strong outside shooting numbers, the team is playing at one of the fastest paces in the NBA, averaging 101.3 possessions per contest.
On defense, the Kings will look for some improved play, as they are currently the 29th ranked unit in points allowed per game.
This season, the Kings offense has primarily worked through De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis who are 1st and 2nd on the team in scoring. In his 39 games, Fox is 26th in the NBA at 23.8 points per game. So far, him and Sabonis have accounted for 33% of the team’s field goal attempts while combining to average 42.7 points per contest. In addition to sitting 2nd on the team in scoring, Domantas Sabonis is grabbing 12.6 rebounds for Sacramento to go along with 7.1 assists.
Los Angeles will look to continue with their strong offensive play, as they are averaging 117.0 points per game (8th). For the season, the Lakers have been playing an up-tempo style of basketball as they sit 1st in the NBA in possessions per game.. Heading into the game, the Lakers will look to continue with their formula of playing fast and getting to the basket, as they are near the top of the league in two-point fields made per game.
Defensively, Los Angeles has had its problems giving up an average of 115.15 points per game (28th).
In their upcoming game against the Kings, the Lakers may be without two of their top scorers. Anthony Davis is already listed as out, while LeBron James is questionable. Smart bettors will be paying close attention to the injury report for this game. If he is able to play, LeBron James will likely be more aggressive on offense. He has accounted for 25.3% of the team’s field goal attempts and is 7th in the league in usage rate, averaging 29.7 points per game.
Kings vs Lakers Pick
- Free Spread Prediction: Kings -4.0
- Free Total Prediction: Under 245.5
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