The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Sacramento Kings on Thursday 12/2/7/18 at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.
The Lakers are brimming with confidence following their 127-101 blowout win over the two-time defending champions Golden State Warriors on Christmas day in Oakland. Meanwhile, the Kings are coming off a close 122-117 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans last December 23rd.
The Lakers are coming off what is without doubt their biggest win of the current season. Los Angeles travelled to the Oracle Center just 2-4 SU in their previous six games. But the young Lakers played controlled basketball for 48 minutes as they were able to stop the Warriors’ juggernaut offense and steal a win over the champs on the road. The win was bittersweet for Los Angeles as LeBron James left the game in the third period with a groin injury.
King James had an MRI on Wednesday at it came out clean. However, the Lakers’ star is still listed as day to day and will reportedly not play in this game as a precaution. James has been the reason why Los Angeles is where it is right now. King James is averaging 27.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game for his new kingdom. His will be huge shoes to fill for his young but talented teammates.
Los Angeles averages 113.2 points per game, tied for 8th in the league. The Lakers are 15th in the NBA with 24.4 assists per game. The Purple and Gold average 46.1 rebounds per game which is ranked 9th overall. They are allowing their opponents to score 111.0 points per game, which is the 18th best scoring defense in the NBA.
The Sacramento Kings are one of the biggest surprises of the season. At 18-15, the Kings are just 4th in the loaded Pacific Division but are tied for 7th place in the ultra tough Western Conference. The Kings head to Thursday’s contest with back to back home victories over playoff contenders Memphis and New Orleans.
Buddy Hield has been the main reason why the Kings have ascended in the West. The former 6th overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft by the Pelicans is averaging a career high 20.4 points per game along with 5.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game Hield is making 3.2 three pointers per game at a high 44.4% clip. In his last five games, Hield has made 5.4 three pointers per game while shooting the three ball at 47.4%.
Sacramento ranks 5th in the league in team scoring at 115.1 points per game and the Kings are also ranked 6th in passing at 25.5 assists per game this season. Sacramento averages 44.2 rebounds per game, putting them at 19th in the NBA. On defense, the Kings allow their opponents to score 116.4 points per game, that’s in the bottom three in the league at #28 among 30 teams.
These teams have played each other a total of 428 times during the regular season. The Lakers lead their all-time series 273-155. The Lakers have won four out of their last six meetings including their first matchup of the current season. Los Angeles downed Sacramento 101-86 in Sacramento.
This was supposed to be an easier outing for the Lakers as compared to their previous game. However, with LeBron James declared out of this contest with a groin injury, it’s an entirely different ballgame. But don’t count out the young Lakers in this one. Remember that the Warriors made a run and cut the lead to two when James left the game. But the Lakers were able to weather the storm and even bury the defending champions in their own venue while playing without LeBron. If Walton is able to keep his team playing the same controlled basketball, they are in good shape.
Sacramento has played well in their last two games, downing Memphis and New Orleans. But while the Lakers are just 8-9 on the road, the Kings are just 9-7 at home. Without James in the equation, these are two teams loaded with young talent who will dominate the league in the coming years. We haven’t seen how the Lakers play without LeBron though. No question, they have players who can step up but adjusting in two days may not be that easy. I think this is 50-50 and in games like these, I’d do with the home team to be safe. We’re picking the Sacramento Kings to beat the Los Angeles Lakers on 12/27/18.
The Lakers are 15-19 ATS in 34 games played this season. The Purple and Gold are 7-10 ATS when playing on the road this season. The Kings are 21-11-1 ATS in 33 games played this season. Sacramento is 11-4-1 ATS in 16 home games played this season. Head to head, these teams have split their last 10 meetings.
Sacramento is 4-1 ATS in their last five games against teams with losing road records. The Kings are also 6-1 ATS in their last seven Thursday games and they are also 5-1 ATS in their last six home games. The Lakers have the better lineup on paper but I’m not sure how they will play without their leader. The Lakers are losing too much without LeBron that I won’t take the chance. Prediction: Kings -3.5
The under is 21-12-1 in Los Angeles’ 34 games played this season. The total has gone under in 9 out of the Lakers’ 17 road games played so far. On the other hand, the Kings have seen the over go 22-11 in their 33 games this season. The over and under are at an even 8-8 in Sacramento’s 16 home games played so far.
The total has gone under in seven out of the last 10 games of the Lakers versus Pacific Division teams. The under is also 10-2 in their last dozen games after a one-day rest. Meanwhile, the Kings have seen the undergo 9-3 in their last 12 home games . Likewise, the under is 9-1-1 in the last 11 meetings between these two teams. I like the under here, especially with King James sitting out this game. Prediction: Under 229.5
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