Expect a low-scoring game when the Los Angeles Lakers (8-28) and Sacramento Kings (14-21) square off at Sleep Train Arena. Action begins at 10:30 pm ET on Thursday, Jan. 7 and can be seen on TNT and TWC.
The Kings are hoping for a better outcome after their 117-116 loss to the Mavericks on Tuesday. Rudy Gay had a solid performance, putting up 31 points, five rebounds, and one steal for Sacramento. The Lakers, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their awful 109-88 loss against the Warriors on Tuesday. Jordan Clarkson led the team in scoring with 23 points.
Lou Williams has been hot for the Lakers, averaging 18.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.0 three-pointers over the past five games.
This is the second game of the year between these two teams, with the Kings winning the first matchup 132-114. Gay had a stellar game with 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two three-pointers.
The Kings come into this game 14-21 Straight Up (SU) and 17-18 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 2-6 SU and 4-4 ATS against divisional opponents. The Kings have no trouble scoring as they rank third in the league in offense with 105.9 points per game. Sacramento is one of the best passing teams in the league with an average of 24.5 assists per game.
As for their opponent, the Lakers have 8-28 SU and 15-21 ATS records. Against fellow division members, Los Angeles has a 1-5 SU and a 2-4 ATS record.
In their previous meeting this season, Sacramento beat Los Angeles, bringing the head-to-head record to an even 5-5 SU over the last 10 meetings. With a 6-4 record, the Lakers have the advantage ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – Sac
Notes
Sacramento is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Sacramento’s last 12 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Sacramento’s last 5 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Sacramento’s last 5 games at home.
Sacramento is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home.
Sacramento is 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing LA Lakers.
The total has gone OVER in 16 of Sacramento’s last 23 games when playing at home against LA Lakers.
Sacramento is 6-13 ATS in their last 19 games when playing at home against LA Lakers.
The Sacramento Kings score 105.9 points per game (ranked third), while the Los Angeles Lakers give up a whopping 105.8 (ranked 27th).
Los Angeles ranks 24th in points allowed per road game (108.5 PPG), while Sacramento ranks sixth in points per home game with 105.4.
In its last game, Los Angeles lost by a 21-point margin. Sacramento is 2-4 in games decided by a margin of 18 points or more. Los Angeles has a 2-10 record in blowouts.
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Los Angeles Lakers are a solid 5-3. In games where they score fewer than 100 points, the Sacramento Kings have a subpar record of 2-11.
At 3-25, the Los Angeles Lakers have an underachieving record when their opponents score 100 points or more. The Sacramento Kings are 12-10 when they hit the century mark.
The Lakers have an offensive rating of 97.5 (ranked 29th), while the Kings rank 23rd for their defensive rating of 105.7.
Sacramento has an average field goal percentage of 46.0% (ranked sixth). Los Angeles is a subpar 2-17 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
On average, the Sacramento Kings attempt 23.0 three point field goals per game and the Los Angeles Lakers attempt 25.0 per game. In games where they attempt at least 25 threes, both teams have losing records; Sacramento is 4-7 and Los Angeles is 3-16.
Sacramento has an assist to turnover ratio of 1.52 this season (ranked 17th), while Los Angeles ranks lower at 24th with an A/TO of 1.39.
The Kings rank 10th in rebounds per game with 44.5, while the Lakers rank 16th with 43.6 per game.
The Los Angeles Lakers rank 10th in offensive rebounding, while the Sacramento Kings rank 11th in defensive rebounding.
Sacramento is one of the top teams in forced turnovers, with opponents averaging a TOV% of 15.3% (ranked ninth). Los Angeles has a subpar record of 2-9 SU this season when its TOV% reaches 15.3% or greater.
