The Sacramento Kings (23-49) meet the Atlanta Hawks (21-50) at Golden 1 Center. The game can be seen on NBC Sports – California at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 22, 2018.
Sacramento is a 3.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 210 points.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Sacramento Kings ATS Prediction
In the Hawks’ last game, they defeated the Utah Jazz, 99-94. Atlanta’s turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Utah. The Hawks had a rate of 11.3 (better than their season average of 13.8), while the Jazz posted a mark of 13.8. With 41 points on 16-for-28 shooting, Dennis Schroder was the top scorer from either team.
The Kings lost to the Detroit Pistons in their last game, 106-90. Making free throws was one of Detroit’s largest strengths. They were 18-22 (81.8 percent), while the Kings were just 4-9 (44.4 percent). Buddy Hield had a good game for Sacramento, leading the team in scoring with 20 points on 8-for-15 shooting.
It could be a sloppy game for the Sacramento offense. Sacramento ranks 14th in the NBA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 13.6 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of Atlanta forces the second-most turnovers in the league (15.1 percent).
Atlanta comes into the contest with records of 21-50 straight up (SU) and 35-34-2 against the spread (ATS). Of the Hawks’ 71 games, 36 have finished under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Sacramento owns records of 23-49 SU and 34-35-3 ATS. Contrary to Atlanta, a little over half of Kings games have finished over the total.
Taurean Prince has averaged 25.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists over the last five games for Atlanta.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Dewayne Dedmon put up 20 points, 14 rebounds and five assists and the Hawks beat the Kings 126-80, covering as 4.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 206 points, hitting the projected point total. Atlanta’s effective field goal percentage was its biggest strength over Sacramento. The Hawks had a rate of 0.734 while the Kings posted a mark of 0.386.
Atlanta Hawks at Sacramento Kings Free Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Hawks, ATS Winner – Hawks, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Atlanta is 17-15-2 ATS on the road with 20 unders and 14 overs.
Sacramento is 16-19 ATS at home with 19 overs and 16 unders.
When allowing under 100 points, Atlanta is 10-4 and Sacramento is 14-5.
When scoring over 100 points, the Hawks are 18-29 and the Kings are 16-20.
Atlanta ranks third in points off turnovers per game (18.2) while Sacramento ranks 24th (15.3).
The Hawks average 30.5 three pointers per game, which ranks 10th in the NBA. The Kings rank 29th in three pointers allowed per game (31.8).
Sacramento averages 8.1 steals per game, which ranks seventh in the league. Atlanta ranks 25th in steals allowed per game (8.7).
The Hawks rank eighth in assists per game (23.7) while the Kings rank 26th (21.5).
Sacramento ranks 18th in points in the paint per game (43.6) while Atlanta ranks 28th (40.8).
The Kings average 10.4 fast break points per game, which ranks 19th in the league. The Hawks rank 24th in fast break points allowed per game (13.2).
Atlanta ranks 25th in rebounds per game (41.4) while Sacramento ranks 29th (40.6).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Atlanta is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Sacramento is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Hawks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 6.2, up from 5.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Kings have scored an average of 101.8 points per game (2.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 105.4 points per game (1.7 below their season average).
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