Sacramento Kings vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Free Prediction

Victor TrejosBasketball, NBA

The Sacramento Kings (12-11), 3-point favorites, will travel to Quicken Loans Arena to meet the Cleveland Cavaliers (5-19). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 221.5 points and it will air on Fox Sports – Ohio at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, December 7, 2018.

Sacramento Kings at Cleveland Cavaliers ATS Odds

The last time the Kings played, they beat the Phoenix Suns, 122-105, easily covering as 5.5-point favorites. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, were blown out by the Golden State Warriors, 129-105, and failed to cover as 11-point underdogs. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Sacramento game went 4.5 points over the projected point total of 222.5, while the Cleveland game finished 14.5 points over the projected point total of 219.5.

Sacramento dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a turnover percentage of 11.7 (better than their season average of 12.4) and a free throw rate of 0.250 (above their season average of 0.177). For those same stats, Phoenix was 17.9 and 0.195, respectively. Cleveland, on the other hand, had a better offensive rebounding percentage (24.5 vs. 23.7). Cleveland received a boost from Tristan Thompson, who put up 14 points and 19 rebounds. Buddy Hield, meanwhile had a good outing for Sacramento, putting up 20 points and five rebounds.

This was a highly contested series last year. Each won one of the two games played against each other last season. The Kings won the last game 109-95. Sacramento’s effective field goal percentage was its biggest advantage over Cleveland. The Kings had a rate of 0.595 while the Cavaliers posted a mark of 0.514. This is the first time these teams will clash this year.

Of the Kings’ 23 games, 15 have finished over the total. Sacramento comes into the game with records of 12-11 straight up (SU) and 14-9 against the spread (ATS).

Contrary to Sacramento, games including the Cavaliers have a tendency to finish under the O/U total (58.3 percent). Additionally, Cleveland owns records of 5-19 SU and 12-12 ATS.

The Kings’ Bogdan Bogdanovic has been playing at a high level over his last five games, averaging 19 points,4.2 assists per game. Meanwhile, Jordan Clarkson has averaged 17 points during that same time frame for the Cavaliers.

Cleveland could own the offensive glass in this showdown. The Cavaliers rank third in offensive rebounding percentage (26.7 percent), while Sacramento ranks 23rd in defensive rebounding percentage (75.6 percent). Contrasting paces will be on display in this meeting. The fast-breaking Kings rank fifth in possessions per game, while the slower-paced Cavaliers rank 30th.

Sacramento Kings vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Pick

Pick: SU Winner – Kings, ATS Winner – Kings, O/U – Over

Betting Notes:

  • The Cavaliers rank 16 in three pointers allowed per game (31.25) while the Kings rank 29 (35.47826086956522).
  • Sacramento ranks second in points off turnovers per game (21.0) while Cleveland ranks 28th (14.3).
  • The Kings rank fourth in points in the paint per game (53.7) while the Cavaliers rank 26th (42.0).
  • Sacramento ranks ninth in assists per game (24.9) while Cleveland ranks last (19.0).
  • Cleveland averages 14.625 second chance points per game, which ranks 8 in the league. Sacramento ranks 22 in second chance points allowed per game (14.608695652173912).
  • The Kings rank first in fast break points per game (22.0) while the Cavaliers rank 26th (10.4).
  • The Kings rank 9 in steals per game (8.391304347826088) while the Cavaliers rank 25 (6.916666666666667).
  • Sacramento ranks 23 in blocks per game (4.304347826086956) while Cleveland ranks 28 (2.3333333333333335).
  • Cleveland ranks fifth in rebounds allowed per game (42.3) while Sacramento ranks 28th (47.8).
  • In games where they hold opponents below 100 points, Cleveland is 2-2 and Sacramento is 3-0.
  • The Cavaliers are 4-9 when they score over 100 points, while the Kings are 11-10.
  • Cleveland is 5-7 ATS at home, while Sacramento is 7-5 ATS on the road.
  • The Kings have 11 overs and 1 under in 12 road games.
  • The Cavaliers have 7 unders and 5 overs in 12 home games.

Bettings Trends:

  • The Kings are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Cavaliers are 2-3.
  • In their last five games, Sacramento has 4 overs and 1 under, while Cleveland has 3 unders and 2 overs.
  • The Kings\u2019 average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 3.2, up from 2.0 for the season.
  • During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 95.4 points per game (7.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 112.0 points per game (0.8 above their season average).