Sacramento Kings at New Orleans Pelicans 2/1/21 - NBA Picks & Predictions
Two struggling teams in the Western Conference will do battle when the Sacramento Kings travel on the road to the Smoothie King Center to take on New Orleans Pelicans. Both are coming off losses, the Kings having a three-game win streak snapped with a road loss to the Heat dropping to 8-11 on the year. The Pelicans fell on their home-floor to Houston and dropped to 7-11 on the year.
The Kings despite their poor record have actually been a solid offensive team averaging 113.2 points per game ranking 12th in the league in scoring offense. The Kings have been a solid team from beyond the arc shooting 38% from three, the 7th best clip in the NBA this season. It’s a young core of players headed by flourishing point-guard D’Aron Fox.
Fox is the leader of the team and is averaigng 21.3 points and 6.1 assists per game, both leading the team and he’s shooting 46.2% from the field. Paired in the backcourt with Fox is another young guard in Buddy Hield, he’s shooting 40.4% from beyond the arc on over 10 threes per game and is averaging 16.2 points per game.
The Pelicans have struggled offensively this season averaging 110.6 points per game ranking 19th in scoring offense but are shooting 46.8% from the field. The struggles offensively for the Pelicans have stemmed from struggles from three shooting just 34.3% from three, the 27th three-point shooting percentage in the NBA this season.
The continued development of 2nd-year star Zion Williams has propelled him to averaging a team-high 23.9 points and 7.5 rebounds, which is second on the team. Forward Brandon Ingram trails closely behind with 23.6 points and is second on the team in assists with 4.7 per game. Those two head the scoring attack while point-guard Lonzo Ball is distributing 4.8 assists and adding 12.5 points per game.
With so many defensive-minded players and athletes who in history have struggled to score the ball, the Pelicans defense has struggled allowing 112.8 points per game ranking 22nd in the NBA in scoring defense. The Kings have been even worse allowing 119.7 points per game ranking 29th in the NBA in scoring defense.
Betting Trends for vs
Both of these teams have struggled but with the Kings in the midst of a four-game road trip, I like the home team with the Pelicans. The Kings defense has really struggled this season and the Pelicans exploit that behind a solid offensive showing on their way to a win at home. Although the Pelicans have had their struggles, they match up well with the Kings and get the win. Final score prediction, Pelicans win and cover ATS 118-113.
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