The Sacramento Kings (20-25) take on the visiting Milwaukee Bucks (20-27) at Sleep Train Arena. The game gets underway at 10:00 pm ET on Monday, Feb. 1 and will air on NBA, FWi and CSA.
The Kings lost to the Trail Blazers 112-97 the last time they played. Willie Cauley-Stein put together a strong game for the Kings, finishing with 12 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks. The Bucks, meanwhile, are coming off a 107-100 win over the Magic in their last outing. Giannis Antetokounmpo played well, recording 25 points, nine rebounds, and two steals.
Over the last five games, DeMarcus Cousins has been playing at a high level for the Kings. During that stretch, he has averaged 36.2 points, 12.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.0 block, and 0.6 three-pointers. Khris Middleton has also been on a tear in the same span, averaging 22.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.8 three-pointers while leading the Bucks.
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Kings won the first game 129-118. Rudy Gay scored a game-high 36 points.
The Kings look to improve upon their records of 20-27 Straight Up (SU) and 22-24-1 Against The Spread (ATS). They have a record of 10-7 SU and 9-8 ATS versus the Eastern Conference. The Kings have one of the most prolific offenses in the entire league, averaging 106.6 points per game. Spreading the ball around is a huge part of Sacramento’s offense. They are fourth in the league in assists with an average of 24.8 per game.
On the other side, Milwaukee has a SU record of 20-29 and an ATS record of 24-24-1. In Western Conference games, Milwaukee has gone 6-13 SU and 8-10-1 ATS. The Bucks are shooting lights out so far, with a .462 field-goal percentage that ranks fourth in the NBA. Milwaukee makes opponents pay for turning the ball over, ranking fourth in points off turnovers with an average of 18.5 per game.
With the Kings’ last win against Milwaukee, the head-to-head record between these two is now an even 5-5 SU over the past 10 meetings. The Kings hold the advantage ATS with a record of 6-4.
Predictions: SU Winner – Sac
Notes
Sacramento is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games.
Sacramento is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Sacramento’s last 20 games at home.
Sacramento is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Sacramento’s last 5 games when playing Milwaukee.
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Sacramento’s last 7 games when playing at home against Milwaukee.
Sacramento is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Milwaukee.
Sacramento is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Milwaukee.
Milwaukee ranks 24th in points per game with 98.1, while Sacramento ranks 30th in points allowed with an average of 108.2 given up.
Milwaukee scores an average of 95.8 points per away game (ranked 26th). Sacramento ranks 30th in points allowed per home game with 106.7.
When allowing fewer than 100 points, the Bucks are 14-4 on the season. When the Kings score fewer than 100, they are a subpar 3-13.
At 6-23, the Milwaukee Bucks have an underachieving record when their opponents score 100 points or more. The Sacramento Kings are 17-12 when they hit the century mark.
The Kings have a defensive rating of 105.6 (ranked 22nd), while the Bucks rank 19th for their offensive rating of 102.4.
Sacramento has an average field goal percentage of 46.1% (ranked sixth). Milwaukee is an abysmal 1-16 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
Sacramento averages 22.0 three point attempts per game, and Milwaukee attempts 15.0 per game. In games where the teams have 25 or more three point attempts, the Kings have a 5-7 record while the Bucks are winless at 0-3.
The Sacramento Kings rank 16th with an assist to turnover ratio of 1.55. The Milwaukee Bucks have a higher A/TO (1.59), ranking 14th.
Milwaukee ranks 27th in rebounds per game with 41.4, while Sacramento ranks sixth with 45.7.
Sacramento is ranked fourth in defensive rebounds, while Milwaukee ranks 17th in offensive rebounds.
Milwaukee is one of the top teams in forced turnovers, with opponents averaging a TOV% of 15.0% (ranked eighth). Sacramento has a subpar record of 9-14 SU this season when its TOV% reaches 15.0% or greater.