The Sacramento Kings (13-32) will try to snap their seven-game losing streak when they challenge the Charlotte Hornets (18-26) at Spectrum Center. The game will air on NBC Sports – California at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, January 22, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 209 points with Charlotte opening as a 9.5-point favorite.
Sacramento Kings vs. Charlotte Hornets ATS Prediction
The Kings are trying to rebound after their 106-88 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in their last matchup. Memphis’ 11.7 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Sacramento, who had a rate of 19.3. The Grizzlies’ mark was better than their season average of 13.0, while the Kings’ was above their season average of 13.0. Buddy Hield had a good outing for Sacramento, recording 13 points and seven rebounds.
In the Hornets’ last game, they lost a tough one against the Miami Heat, 106-105. Miami’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Charlotte. The Heat had a rate of 0.569 (above their season average of 0.524), while the Hornets posted a mark of 0.494. Charlotte’s Dwight Howard put up 14 points and 15 rebounds in the game.
This contest should be a battle of conflicting tempos. Charlotte prefers an up-tempo style of play (ninth in possessions per game), while Sacramento is methodical (25th in possessions per game). Furthermore, the Kings rank 30th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.153), while the Hornets rank fifth in opponents’ FTA rate (0.176).
Sacramento holds records of 13-32 straight up (SU) and 17-25-3 against the spread (ATS). Just over half of the Kings’ games have finished over the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Charlotte owns records of 18-26 SU and 18-22-4 ATS. Unlike Sacramento, games involving the Hornets have gone under the total 52.3 percent of the time.
Both teams have had a couple of players heat up over their last five games. For the Kings it’s been Willie Cauley-Stein (16.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (18.4 points), while Howard (14.8 rebounds, 14.6 points, 2.8 blocks and 1.2 steals) and Nicolas Batum (10.4 points and 3.4 assists) have been stellar for the Hornets.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Zach Randolph scored a game-high 24 points in the first game, in which the Kings lost 131-111, unable to cover as 4-point underdogs. The game finished with a total of 242 points, which was 37.5 points above the projected point total of 204.5 points. Charlotte had a much better turnover percentage (3.0 vs. 13.6). Sacramento, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (39.0 vs. 13.9).
Sacramento Kings vs. Charlotte Hornets Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Hornets, ATS Winner – Kings, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Sacramento is 8-13-3 ATS on the road with 12 unders, 11 overs and 1 push.
At home, Charlotte is 11-13-1 ATS with 14 unders and 11 overs.
Sacramento is 8-4 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Charlotte is 8-2.
The Kings are 9-10 when they reach the century mark, while the Hornets are 17-11.
Charlotte ranks second in rebounds per game (46.6) while Sacramento ranks 26th (40.2).
The Kings rank seventh in steals per game (8.4) while the Hornets rank 27th (6.8).
Charlotte ranks first in points off turnovers allowed per game (13.6) while Sacramento ranks 15th (16.1).
The Hornets rank fifth in fast break points allowed per game (9.8) while the Kings rank 19th (12.1).
Charlotte ranks first in second chance points allowed per game (9.8) while Sacramento ranks 10th (11.6).
The Hornets rank 22nd in three pointers allowed per game (30.1) while the Kings rank 28th (31.2).
Sacramento is 27th in the league with 20.7 assists per game while Charlotte is 28th with 20.7 assists per game.
Betting Trends:
In their last five games, Sacramento is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Charlotte is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Kings’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 13.4, up from 9.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Hornets have scored an average of 109.2 points per game (3.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 102.2 points per game (3.5 below their season average).
