The Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans meet Friday in West NBA Play-In action at the Smoothie King Center. The winner will face the Thunder in the first round. Here’s a Kings vs Pelicans prediction.
The Sacramento Kings recently lost to the Pelicans and Suns, while beating the Trail Blazers and Warriors. The Sacramento Kings are averaging 116.6 points on 47.7 percent shooting and allowing 114.8 points on 48 percent shooting. De’Aaron Fox is averaging 26.6 points and 4.6 rebounds, while Domantas Sabonis is averaging 19.4 points and 13.7 rebounds. Malik Monk is the third double-digit scorer and Keegan Murray is grabbing 5.5 rebounds. The Sacramento Kings are shooting 36.6 percent from beyond the arc and 74.5 percent from the free throw line. The Sacramento Kings are allowing 38.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44 rebounds per game.
The New Orleans Pelicans recently beat the Kings and Warriors, while losing to the Lakers twice. The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 115.1 points on 48.6 percent shooting and allowing 110.7 points on 46.4 percent shooting. Zion Williamson is averaging 22.9 points and 5.8 rebounds, while Brandon Ingram is averaging 20.8 points and 5.1 rebounds. CJ McCollum is the third double-digit scorer and Trey Murphy III is grabbing 4.9 rebounds. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 38.3 percent from beyond the arc and 77.1 percent from the free throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 34.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44 rebounds per game.
This game is going to be interesting because the Kings have been shaky these last few weeks with the injuries to Huerter and Monk. However, the Pelicans will be without Zion Williamson due to a hamstring injury. While the Pels injury is a bit more significant, they've won the last 5 games against the Kings, which includes a 12 point win last week as 1.5 point underdogs. The Pelicans have won 8 of the last 10 games against the Kings overall. Home court has to matter, and I do believe a combination of McCollum and Ingram is enough to beat an undermanned Kings team that can run hot and cold. Near pick em spot, I'll lean toward the Pelicans at home.