The Sacramento Kings (24-51) challenge the Indiana Pacers (44-31) at Golden 1 Center. The game starts at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 29, 2018, and will air on NBC Sports – California.
Indiana is a 7.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 203.5 points.
Indiana Pacers at Sacramento Kings Betting Prediction
In the Pacers’ last matchup, they beat the Golden State Warriors, 92-81. The Pacers forced 15 turnovers, while the Warriors had a free throw rate of 0.070 (below their season average of 0.199). With 24 points on 9-for-12 shooting, Victor Oladipo was the top scorer from either team.
The Kings fell to the Dallas Mavericks in their last contest, 103-97. Getting to the charity stripe was one of Dallas’ biggest strengths. They had 25 free throw attempts, while Sacramento had 19. With 19 points on 8-for-15 shooting, Skal Labissiere was Sacramento’s high scorer.
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when two of the league’s slowest-paced teams battle. Sacramento ranks 27th in possessions per game (97.4) and Indiana is 23rd (98.1).
Indiana comes into the contest with records of 44-31 straight up (SU) and 43-32 against the spread (ATS). Of the Pacers’ 75 games, 45 have finished under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Sacramento owns records of 24-51 SU and 35-37-3 ATS. Unlike Indiana, a little over half of Kings games have finished over the total.
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Thaddeus Young (14.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.0 steals) has been great for the Pacers while Buddy Hield (20.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.6 steals) has contributed greatly to the Kings.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, the Kings lost 101-83, unable to cover as 5.5-point underdogs. De’Aaron Fox led both teams with 18 points and also had five assists. The game finished with a total of 184 points, which was 22 points below the projected point total of 206 points. The Pacers knocked down 17 of their 22 free throws (77.3 percent) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (28.0 vs. 20.4).
Indiana Pacers at Sacramento Kings Free Pick
NBA Prediction: SU Winner – Pacers, ATS Winner – Kings, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Indiana is 20-16 ATS on the road with 22 unders, 13 overs and 1 push.
Sacramento is 17-21 ATS at home with 19 overs and 19 unders.
Indiana is 26-3 when they allow under 100 points, while Sacramento is 15-5.
In games where they score above 100 points, the Pacers are 35-15 and the Kings are 17-20.
Indiana ranks second in points off turnovers per game (18.4) while Sacramento ranks 24th (15.5).
The Pacers rank fifth in fast break points per game (14.7) while the Kings rank 21st (10.4).
Indiana ranks second in steals per game (8.8) while Sacramento ranks 17th in steals allowed per game (7.9).
The Kings rank fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (42.0) while the Pacers rank 16th (44.7).
Indiana ranks 21st in three pointers allowed per game (30.4) while Sacramento ranks 28th (31.8).
The Pacers rank 22nd in rebounds per game (42.4) while the Kings rank 28th (40.7).
Indiana ranks 22nd in assists per game (22.0) while Sacramento ranks 25th (21.5).
The Pacers and Kings both average 4.2 blocks per game, which ranks 25th in the NBA.
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Indiana is 4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Sacramento is 2-3 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Pacers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.6, up from 1.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Kings have scored an average of 96.4 points per game (3.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 101.2 points per game (5.5 below their season average).
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