Alex Hunter breaks down his preview, prediction and pick for Sunday’s NBA matchup between the Kings and Nets.
The Kings are hosting the Nets on Sunday. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Sacramento is favored by 6.5 points, and this game carries a total of O/U 218.5 points.
Let’s dive into my preview and pick.
Kings vs. Nets preview
These two lottery-bound teams will face off tonight in Sacramento and then again in Brooklyn next Sunday. The Kings sit dead last in the Western Conference at 18-53, while the Nets sit third-to-last in the Eastern Conference at 17-53. While comparable records for the season, Sacramento has been the much better team since the All-Star break. Over this time, the Kings are 6-9 and rank 25th in net rating, while the Nets are 2-15 and rank dead last in net rating.
Right now, Sacramento is led by rookie center Maxime Raynaud, who has scored 30+ points in back-to-back games. DeMar DeRozan and Precious Achiuwa have also been putting up solid numbers, and all three of these players should see expanded roles tonight with Russell Westbrook (foot) sidelined. Killian Hayes should start in place of Westbrook, which is a plus, as the former lottery pick is leading the Kings in plus/minus since joining the team last month.
Hayes has made two starts for Westbrook, and in those games, Sacramento fell to the Hornets 117-109 and defeated the Jazz 116-111. This version of the Kings is nothing to write home about, but they are the superior squad over the current Nets.
Brooklyn has lost six straight games. Leading scorer Michael Porter Jr. (hamstring) will miss his sixth straight game tonight, and the Nets are a miserable 3-15 with him inactive this season. Nic Claxton (rest), Noah Clowney (wrist), Egor Demin (foot) and Day’Ron Sharpe (thumb) are also out, so Brooklyn is shorthanded to say the least.
The team’s best remaining options are Ziaire Williams, Danny Wolf and Josh Minott. The Nets’ coaching staff has been going deep into their bench, with at least 10 players playing in three straight games, which is likely by design in an effort to lose and should continue tonight. At this point of the season, both the Kings and Nets want to lose games as they chase the No. 1 pick in this upcoming NBA draft, and this matchup is likely to be an unexciting affair.
Kings vs. Nets pick, best Bet
While both teams are understaffed, the Kings have far more viable options and are at home tonight. 12 of Sacramento’s 18 wins this season have come at home, and the club should win this game.
The Kings are 4-3 ATS as a home favorite this season, and I like backing them to cover this 6.5-point spread.