Expect a fast-paced game when the Los Angeles Lakers (20-14), 3.5-point underdogs, head to Sacramento to take on the Kings (18-16). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 229.5 points and it is scheduled to start at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 27, 2018.
Los Angeles Lakers at Sacramento Kings ATS Odds
In the Lakers’ last contest, they blew out the Golden State Warriors, 127-101, as 9-point underdogs. The Kings, meanwhile, were beaten by the Los Angeles Clippers, 127-118, and failed to cover as 1-point underdogs. The Los Angeles game went 5.5 points under the projected point total of 233.5, while the Sacramento game went 7 points over the projected point total of 238.
Los Angeles dominated every stat category in the game. They had a phenomenal effective field goal percentage of 0.629 (above their season average of 0.537) and a free throw rate of 0.235 (above their season average of 0.176). For those same stats, Golden State was 0.457 and 0.172, respectively. Sacramento, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (10.5 vs. 10.2). De’Aaron Fox fueled Sacramento with 19 points, nine assists and six rebounds. LeBron James led the way for Los Angeles, contributing 17 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.
In their first matchup this year, James led the Lakers to a 101-86 victory. He was the game’s leading scorer with 25 points. The two teams combined to score 187 points, which was well under the projected point total of 237, and Los Angeles covered as a 6-point favorite. The Lakers’ 11.6 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over the Kings, who had a mark of 15.9.
Lakers games tend to go under the total (61.8 percent). Los Angeles heads into the game with records of 20-14 straight up (SU) and 14-19-1 against the spread (ATS).
Unlike Los Angeles, games including the Kings have typically finished over the total (66.7 percent). Additionally, Sacramento is 18-16 SU and 21-12 ATS.
Buddy Hield has been playing at a high level as of late for Sacramento, averaging 28 points over the last five games.
There should be a fair amount of transition offense in this contest that features a pair of the NBA’s more fast-breaking teams. Sacramento currently ranks second in possessions per game (105.8) and Los Angeles is third (105.6). Furthermore, the Lakers rank fourth in effective field goal percentage (0.540), whereas the suspect defense of the Kings ranks 26th with an effective field goal percentage allowed of 0.536.
Lakers at Kings Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Lakers, ATS Winner – Lakers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Lakers rank 14 in assists per game (24.41176470588235) while the Kings rank 23 in assists allowed per game (25.235294117647058).
- Los Angeles ranks second in points in the paint per game (55.7) while Sacramento ranks 29th in points allowed in the paint per game (53.3).
- The Kings rank first in points off turnovers per game (21.0) while the Lakers rank 20th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.7).
- Los Angeles ranks fifth in blocks per game (5.9) while Sacramento ranks 22nd (4.7).
- Los Angeles ranks 16 in second chance points allowed per game (13.411764705882353) while Sacramento ranks 25 (14.617647058823529).
- The Lakers rank second in fast break points per game (20.3) while the Kings rank 23rd in fast break points allowed per game (15.1).
- The Lakers rank 14 in three pointers allowed per game (30.91176470588235) while the Kings rank 25 (33.588235294117645).
- Los Angeles averages 8.294117647058824 steals per game, which ranks 11 in the NBA. Sacramento ranks 17 in steals allowed per game (7.852941176470588).
- Los Angeles averages 46.1 rebounds per game, which ranks ninth in the league. Sacramento ranks last in rebounds allowed per game (48.6).
- When allowing under 100 points, Los Angeles is 6-0 and Sacramento is 5-0.
- In games where they reach the century mark, the Lakers are 19-12 and the Kings are 17-14.
- Los Angeles is 7-10 ATS on the road, while Sacramento is 11-5 ATS at home.
- The total has gone under in 9 of the Lakers’ 17 road games, while 8 of the Kings’ 16 home games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- The Kings are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Lakers are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Sacramento has 4 overs and 1 under, while Los Angeles has 4 unders and 1 over.
- During their last five games, the Kings have scored an average of 112.0 points per game (3.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 121.4 points per game (4.7 above their season average).
- The Lakers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 0.6, down from 2.2 for the season.
