The Sacramento Kings (21-21) will be 5-point favorites at home in the Golden 1 Center when they take on the Charlotte Hornets (19-22). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 234.5 points and it can be seen on Fox Sports Carolina at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 12, 2019.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Sacramento Kings ATS Odds
The Kings come in on a high note after covering the 8-point spread against the Detroit Pistons in their last contest, 112-102. The Hornets, meanwhile, were dismantled by the Portland Trail Blazers, 127-96, and were unable to cover as 6-point underdogs. The Sacramento game went 7.5 points under the projected point total of 221.5, while the Charlotte game went 9 points under the projected point total of 232.
Sacramento dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a superb offensive rebounding percentage of 28.2 (above their season average of 22.1) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.564 (above their season average of 0.533). Detroit recorded marks of 20.0 and 0.494, respectively, for those same stats. Charlotte, on the other hand, had a better free throw rate (0.122 vs. 0.086). Willie Cauley-Stein played well for Sacramento, recording 14 points, 14 rebounds and five assists. Meanwhile, Charlotte was led by Kemba Walker, who had 18 points.
The Hornets dominated this series last year, winning both games. In the last matchup, Charlotte won 112-107. Charlotte made good use of their 25 trips to the charity stripe, making 20 of them (80.0 percent). Sacramento, on the other hand, was 11-15 (73.3 percent). This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Of the Hornets’ 40 games with betting action, 23 have finished over the total. Charlotte holds records of 19-22 straight up (SU) and 20-20 against the spread (ATS).
Games including the Kings also have typically finished over the projected point total (64.3 percent). Further, Sacramento owns records of 21-21 SU and 24-18 ATS.
Sacramento should have the edge on the offensive side of the ball. The Kings currently rank eighth in effective field goal percentage (0.534), while Charlotte ranks 24th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.533). Moreover, the Hornets commit the fewest errors in the NBA (turnover percentage of 11.8 percent), while the disruptive defense of the Kings causes the fifth-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 15.2 percent).
Charlotte Hornets vs. Sacramento Kings Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Kings, ATS Winner – Hornets, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Hornets rank 21st in rebounds per game (44.3) while the Kings rank last in rebounds allowed per game (48.3).
- Sacramento ranks first in fast break points per game (22.6) while Charlotte ranks 20th (11.3).
- The Hornets rank first in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.0) while the Kings rank 13th (16.7).
- Charlotte ranks 15th in points in the paint per game (48.4) while Sacramento ranks 26th in points allowed in the paint per game (51.8).
- Sacramento ranks 10th in second chance points per game (13.5) while Charlotte ranks 20th in second chance points allowed per game (13.8).
- The Kings rank eighth in assists per game (25.7) while the Hornets rank 27th in assists allowed per game (25.9).
- The Kings rank 18th in blocks allowed per game (5.3) while the Hornets rank 28th (6.9).
- Charlotte averages 32.5 three pointers per game, which ranks 12th in the league. Sacramento ranks 28th in three pointers allowed per game (34.0).
- Charlotte and Sacramento are both 6-0 when they allow under 100 points.
- When reaching the century mark, the Hornets are 18-19 and the Kings are 20-19.
- Charlotte is 8-10 ATS on the road, while Sacramento is 14-8 ATS at home.
- The total has gone over in 12 of the Hornets’ 18 road games, while 11 of the Kings’ 22 home games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- The Kings are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Hornets are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Sacramento has 3 unders and 2 overs, while Charlotte has 4 overs and 1 under.
- The Kings have outscored opponents by an average of 2.8 points in their last five games. On the season, Sacramento has been defeated by an average of 1.1 points.
- During their last five games, the Hornets have scored an average of 103.6 points per game (8.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 122.6 points per game (10.1 above their season average).
