The Golden State Warriors (40-11), the NBA’s top scoring team, will square off against the Sacramento Kings (16-34) at Golden 1 Center. The games Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 222 points with Golden State opening as a 12.5-point favorite. Tip-off is set for 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday, February 2, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPN.
Golden State Warriors at Sacramento Kings Betting Preview
The Warriors were blown out by the Utah Jazz in their last outing, 129-99. Klay Thompson had a solid game for Golden State, leading both teams in scoring with 27 points on 12-for-17 shooting. Utah had a turnover percentage of 10.2 (better than their season average of 13.2). Golden State, meanwhile, did a terrific job of making free throws (16-21; 76.2 percent).
The last time the Kings played, they topped the New Orleans Pelicans, 114-103. Kosta Koufos played well for Sacramento, putting up 17 points and 17 rebounds. The Kings had a superb offensive rebounding percentage of 29.2 (above their season average of 21.4) and had a better turnover percentage (11.9 vs. 14.8).
Sacramento might have difficulty scoring as they clash against one of the leagues best defenses. Golden State currently ranks seventh in defensive efficiency while the Kings rank 30th in offensive efficiency. Opposite tempos will be on display in this matchup. The up-tempo Warriors rank fifth in possessions per game, while the more half-court oriented Kings rank 25th.
Of Golden State’s 51 games, 28 have finished over the O/U total, while 26 of Sacramento’s 50 games have finished over the projected point total. The Warriors have the clear advantage straight up (SU) (40-11 vs. 16-34), but both teams have similar against the spread (ATS) records. Golden State is 21-28-2 ATS, while Sacramento is 21-26-3 ATS.
These teams have already met once this season. The two teams combined to score 216 points in that game, which was over the projected point total of 204. The Kings won 110-106, covering as 13-point underdogs. The Kings dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.215 and a solid offensive rebounding percentage of 28.9. The Warriors were 0.125 and 26.5, respectively, for those same stats. Willie Cauley-Stein was a top performer in the victory, with 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
Golden State Warriors at Sacramento Kings Prediction
NBA Tip: SU Winner – Warriors, ATS Winner – Kings, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Kings rank seventh in steals per game (8.2) while the Warriors rank 28th in steals allowed per game (8.8).
- Golden State ranks 13th in rebounds per game (44.0) while Sacramento ranks 29th (40.3).
- Sacramento ranks eighth in second chance points allowed per game (11.4) while Golden State ranks 27th (13.5).
- Sacramento averages 43.0 points in the paint per game, which ranks 19th in the NBA. Golden State ranks 23rd in points allowed in the paint per game (47.2).
- Golden State is 12-14 ATS on the road, while Sacramento is 9-12 ATS at home.
- The total has gone over in 12 of the Kings 21 home games, while 15 of the Warriors 26 road games have gone over.
- When allowing under 100 points, Golden State is 11-2 and Sacramento is 10-4.
- When scoring over 100 points, the Warriors are 37-7 and the Kings are 11-11.
- The Warriors rank 10th in three pointers attempted per game (29.8) while the Kings rank 28th (22.8).
- Golden State ranks first in assists per game (30.5) while Sacramento ranks 26th (20.9).
- The Warriors rank first in blocks per game (7.9) while the Kings rank 24th (4.1).
- The Kings rank 13th in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.9) while the Warriors rank 26th (18.3).
- Golden State ranks first in fast break points per game (21.0) while Sacramento ranks 24th (9.7).
Betting Trends:
- Sacramento is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Golden State is 0-4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Kings average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 0.4, down from 8.3 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Warriors have scored an average of 113.0 points per game (2.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 115.0 points per game (7.3 above their season average).
