Don’t expect a fast-paced game when the Sacramento Kings (12-14), 4.5-point favorites, visit Charlotte to take on the Hornets (12-17). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 207 points and it will air on NBC Sports – California at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 17, 2019.
Sacramento Kings vs. Charlotte Hornets ATS Odds
In the Kings’ last game, they easily got past the Golden State Warriors, 100-79, easily covering as 4.5-point favorites. The Hornets, on the other hand, were thoroughly outplayed by the Indiana Pacers, 107-85, and failed to cover as 11.5-point underdogs. The Sacramento game finished 30.5 points under the projected point total of 209.5, while the Charlotte game finished 17.5 points under the projected point total of 209.5.
The Kings, who came into the game averaging an effective field goal percentage of 0.520, had a fantastic mark of 0.683 and had a free throw rate of 0.222 (above their season average of 0.164). Charlotte, on the other hand, held Indiana to an offensive rebounding percentage of 17.0 (below the 25.3 mark opponents have averaged against Charlotte this season). Cody Zeller fueled Charlotte with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Meanwhile, Sacramento received a boost from Bogdan Bogdanovic, who contributed 25 points, five rebounds and five assists.
In their first matchup this year, PJ Washington led the Hornets to a 118-111 win. He recorded 23 points and eight rebounds. The two teams combined for 229 points, which was over the projected point total of 223, and Charlotte covered as a 7-point underdog. Charlotte’s free throw rate was their biggest strength over Sacramento. The Hornets had a rate of 0.119, while the Kings posted a mark of 0.094.
Vegas is known to set the total high when the Kings are involved, as 17 of their 26 games have finished under the O/U total. Sacramento comes into the game with records of 12-14 straight up (SU) and 16-10 against the spread (ATS).
Just over half of Hornets games have also finished under the total. Moreover, Charlotte is 12-17 SU and 15-14 ATS.
The Kings’ Buddy Hield has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 26 points,6.8 rebounds,3.4 assists per game. Meanwhile, Zeller has averaged 13 points,7.6 rebounds during that same time frame for the Hornets.
Half-court execution will be critical when a pair of the league’s slowest-paced teams battle. Charlotte ranks 28th in possessions per game (99.9) and Sacramento is 30th (99.5). Furthermore, the Kings rank 29th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.166), while the Hornets rank third in opponents’ FTA rate (0.163).
Kings at Hornets Pick
Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Kings, ATS Winner – Hornets, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Kings rank 16th in points off turnovers per game (17.3) while the Hornets rank 21st in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.3).
- Sacramento ranks 12th in assists allowed per game (23.6) while Charlotte ranks 29th (27.4).
- The Kings rank 11th in three pointers allowed per game (32.9) while the Hornets rank 25th (35.0).
- Sacramento ranks fifth in second chance points allowed per game (12.1) while Charlotte ranks 18th (13.3).
- Sacramento ranks first in fast break points allowed per game (10.0) while Charlotte ranks seventh (12.4).
- The Kings rank 10th in points allowed in the paint per game (46.4) while the Hornets rank 25th (51.0).
- The Kings rank 15th in steals per game (7.7) while the Hornets rank 27th in steals allowed per game (8.6).
- Sacramento ranks 22nd in blocks per game (4.5) while Charlotte ranks 25th (4.4).
- Sacramento ranks fifth in rebounds allowed per game (42.3) while Charlotte ranks 20th (46.1).
- Sacramento is 6-2 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Charlotte is 3-0.
- The Kings are 11-8 when they score more than 100 points, while the Hornets are 10-10.
- Charlotte is 7-7 ATS at home, while Sacramento is 11-4 ATS on the road.
- Of the Kings’ 15 road games, they have 10 unders and 5 overs.
- The Hornets have 9 unders and 5 overs in 14 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Sacramento and Charlotte are both 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- During their last five games, the Kings have scored an average of 104.8 points per game (0.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 99.8 points per game (7.1 below their season average).
- The Hornets’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 3.0, down from 6.6 for the season.
