The Sacramento Kings continue their seven-game homestand tonight in a matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Clippers-Kings prediction and pick.
The Kings hold identical records of 5-7 overall and against the spread in the early days of the 2020-21 season. Sacramento is coming off a shootout loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Clippers stand at 8-4 overall, but they are 6-6 against the spread. In the Clipper's most recent game, they held off the Pelicans for a win in Staples Center.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Clippers-Kings odds.
NBA Odds: Clippers-Kings Odds
Los Angeles Clippers -7 (-108)
Sacramento Kings +7 (-112)
Over 227 Points (-115)
Under 227 Points (-105)
Why The Clippers Could Cover The Spread
After a blazing hot start to the season with victories over contenders like the Lakers and Nuggets, the Clippers have settled down a bit.
The biggest problem for the Clips hasn't been their defense, but their streaky offense. In their last five matchups, the Clippers have broken the 115 point mark only once.
This matchup against the Kings almost certainly has Kawhi Leonard and company licking their chops in the hope they can light up a vulnerable defense.
The Kings allow the third-most 3-point makes in the league and the highest opponent field goal percentage. The Clippers lead the league in 3-point percentage and are fourth in made 3-pointers.
On paper, this looks like it's a dream come true for the Clippers shooters. Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Nicolas Batum, and Marcus Morris are all shooting over 40 percent from 3.
On top of that, the Kings' offense has been just as streaky as the Clippers. Sacramento has scored 120-plus points five times but failed to score over 100 three times.
The Clippers have the clear roster advantage, and if they can even play a little defense here, that seven-point spread could be eclipsed quickly.
Why The Kings Could Cover The Spread
While Los Angeles has a scary roster when clicking, it's not like the Clippers have been blowing teams away lately.
The Clippers haven't covered a seven-point spread in 2021 yet. In fact, of the Clippers' eight wins, only three have come by eighth-plus points.
And it's not like the Clippers have been playing elite teams. In their last five games, Los Angeles hasn't played a single team over .500.
While they bleed points on the defensive end, the Kings have enough firepower to stay in the game.
Led by De'Aaron Fox and his 19.2 points and 5.4 assists a game, Sacramento's offense has shown flashes of brilliance.
The Kings score the eighth-most points in the league and will have to turn this game into a high-scoring affair to stick around.
The biggest difference between these two teams' style of play is pace. The Kings play at the ninth-highest pace in the league, relying on Fox to amp up the pressure on defenses by playing in transition and finding open shooters.
The Clippers have been one of the slowest teams in the league, playing at a pace faster than only the Knicks and the Suns.
If Sacramento can avoid being dragged into a game slogged down by long halfcourt possessions, they should make this game interesting.
Final Clippers-Kings Prediction & Pick
Both the Clippers and the Kings have been difficult to predict to start the season, but the recent pattern of games suggests that this could be closer than expected. I predict the Kings get enough offense going to at least make this slightly interesting in the closing minutes and cover the seven-point spread. Clippers to win, Kings to cover.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: LAC 119, SAC 114
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