The Sacramento Kings (8-8) meet the Oklahoma City Thunder (10-5) at the Golden 1 Center. The game can be seen on NBATV at 10 p.m. ET on Monday, November 19, 2018.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Sacramento Kings Free Prediction
The Thunder will be looking for similar success after covering the 4.5-point spread against the Phoenix Suns in their last matchup, 110-100. The combined points for the game (210) finished under the O/U total of 216.5. Oklahoma City’s rebounding was their largest strength. The Thunder had 14 offensive rebounds and 52 total rebounds, while the Suns had four and 31, respectively. Oklahoma City rallied around Paul George, who was the game’s leading scorer with 32 points on 9-for-22 shooting.
In the Kings’ previous game, they lost big to the Houston Rockets, 132-112. They failed to cover as 12-point underdogs. The total points for the game (244) came in well over the projected point total of 219.5. Making free throws was one of Houston’s biggest strengths. They were 20-24 (83.3 percent), while the Kings were 9-12 (75.0 percent). Buddy Hield had a good game for Sacramento, leading the team in scoring with 23 points on 10-for-17 shooting.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, the Thunder lost 131-120, unable to cover as 10.5-point favorites. Russell Westbrook scored a game-high 32 points and also put up 12 rebounds and 8 assists. The game finished with a total of 251 points, which was 28.5 points above the projected point total of 222.5 points. Sacramento did a terrific job of getting and making free throws (21-28; 75.0 percent). Oklahoma City, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (34.6 vs. 26.7).
Oklahoma City comes into the contest with records of 10-5 straight up (SU) and 10-5 against the spread (ATS). Games including the Thunder have finished under the total 53.3 percent of the time.
Meanwhile, Sacramento is 8-8 SU and 9-7 ATS. Vegas tends to set the total low when the Kings are involved, as 56.3 percent of their games have ended over the total.
George and Dennis Schroder have played at a high level over the last five games for Oklahoma City. George has averaged 25 points,9.2 rebounds,5.0 assists,2.4 steals per game. Not to be outdone, Schroder has recorded 19 points,5.8 assists,5.6 rebounds,1.8 steals a game during that span.
It could be an error-filled game for the Sacramento offense. Sacramento ranks 15th in the league in ball protection (turnover percentage of 13.9 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of Oklahoma City forces the second-most turnovers in the NBA (17.1 percent). Also, the Thunder, who rank first in offensive rebounding percentage (28.7 percent), will clash against the Kings, who rank 23rd in defensive rebounding percentage (75.4 percent).
Oklahoma City Thunder at Sacramento Kings Free Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Kings, ATS Winner – Kings, O/U – Under
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Oklahoma City is 5-2 ATS with 6 unders and 1 over.
Sacramento is 5-2 ATS at home with 6 unders and 1 over.
When holding opponents below 100 points, Sacramento is 3-0 and Oklahoma City is 2-0.
The Thunder are 8-2 when they reach the century mark, while the Kings are 7-7.
Oklahoma City ranks sixth in three pointers allowed per game (29.1) while Sacramento ranks 29th (36.1).
The Thunder rank first in second chance points per game (17.4) while the Kings rank 24th (11.9).
Oklahoma City averages 11.3 steals per game, which ranks first in the league. Sacramento ranks 21st in steals allowed per game (8.4).
The Thunder rank seventh in rebounds allowed per game (42.5) while the Kings rank 27th (48.4).
Oklahoma City ranks eighth in points in the paint per game (50.9) while Sacramento ranks 27th in points allowed in the paint per game (52.3).
The Kings average 22.9375 fast break points per game, which ranks 1 in the league. The Thunder rank 16 in fast break points allowed per game (14.4).
Oklahoma City ranks 1 in points off turnovers per game (22.066666666666666) while Sacramento ranks 15 in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.9375).
The Thunder average 5.733333333333333 blocks per game, which ranks 10 in the league. The Kings rank 17 in blocks allowed per game (5.625).
Sacramento averages 24.375 assists per game, which ranks 10 in the league. Oklahoma City ranks 11 in assists allowed per game (23.133333333333333).
Bettings Trends:
Over its last five contests, Oklahoma City is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Sacramento is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over its last five games.
The Thunder’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 11.0, up from 5.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Kings have scored an average of 105.4 points per game (8.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 110.8 points per game (5.5 below their season average).
*****
