Los Angeles Lakers vs Sacramento Kings betting tips and predictions for Friday’s NBA game on Spectrum SportsNet. The Lakers and Kings continue their storied Pacific Division rivalry as they lock horns at Crypto.com Arena tonight. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Los Angeles Lakers
Father time appears to be catching up to LeBron James. He has been listed as doubtful for tonight’s game after suffering what appeared to be a groin injury in the Lakers’ latest game against their cross-town rivals the Clippers. James finished the game scoring 30 points, but he left the game in pain before the final buzzer, which is just another blow to an already frustrating season for the Lakers. Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook will have to pick up the slack in his absence.
Russ is playing well since committing to a bench role, but the Lakers will need much more than just those two to beat the Kings tonight. I was a bit surprised when I saw this stat, but the Lakers are without a win in their last 6 games against teams from their own division, and with just 3 wins in 11 at home they could have their work cut out here.
Sacramento Kings
It’s not often you see the Sacramento Kings favored by the oddsmakers before a game at Crypto.com arena, be it against the Lakers or the Clippers, but that’s the reality we live in right now. The Kings have been solid on the road lately covering the spread in 4 of 5 games overall, they are also 4-1 ATS in 5 against the Lakers in their building. The win against Cleveland last time out was really impressive, ending the Cavs 8-game win streak.
A total of 7 Kings players scored in double-figures, outscoring the opponent seems to be the mindset of this team before every game this season. In both of their last 2 wins they scored over 120 points, against the fast tempo Lakers they’ll try to push the pace once again. De’Aaron Fox is playing some of the best basketball of his career averaging 25.2 points per game and shooting an impressive 53.5% from the field as a point-guard.
At just 2-9 the Lakers don’t really have anything to lose here. Not having LeBron in the line-up could be beneficial for the defense as his is no longer a factor on that end in his 20th season. Despite the poor run, I am not a fan of backing them to get blown out by the kings at home. Back the Lake show and the extra points.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Sacramento Kings Predictions & Odds
The style of playing the Kings have nurtured for years now has carried on into this season as well and they are once again scoring at a very high level. They rank top 10 in offensive efficiency, 3rd in effective field goal percentage and fifth in assists per game. That’s all due to their new head coach Mike Brown who is an offensive specialist. Against a Lakers side that ranks 4th in pace averaging 105 possessions per game, I think the Kings will fill up the stat sheet once again.
The total has gone over in the Lakers’ last 4 of 6 games, and in 4 of 5 vs Western Conference opponents. When playing at home on a Friday the Lakers are 6-3 on the O/U, combine that with the last 6 of 9 meetings ending over the total, I am pretty happy to back the points in tonight’s game. An average of 232.8 points have been scored in the last 10 meetings, way above tonight’s projected total of 226.5. Let’s go with the over here.
