The Oklahoma City Thunder (0-2) welcome the Sacramento Kings (0-2) to Chesapeake Energy Arena for their home opener. The game can be seen on NBC Sports – California at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 21, 2018.
Sacramento Kings at Oklahoma City Thunder Free Prediction
In the Kings’ last contest, they were blown out by the New Orleans Pelicans, 149-129, and failed to cover as 11.5-point underdogs. The combined points for the game (278) came in well over the projected point total of 232.5. New Orleans’ offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over Sacramento. The Pelicans had a rate of 28.6, while the Kings posted a mark of 18.4. Sacramento’s Marvin Bagley III played well, putting up 19 points and eight rebounds.
The Thunder were beaten by the Los Angeles Clippers in their last outing, 108-92. They were unable to cover as 3-point underdogs. The game’s total points (200) were under the projected point total of 214. Getting to the free throw line was one of Los Angeles’ biggest strengths. They made 36 trips to the line, while Oklahoma City went 23 times. Oklahoma City’s Steven Adams finished with 17 points and 18 rebounds in the contest.
Oklahoma City figures to have an advantage on the offensive glass in this matchup. The Thunder rank first in offensive rebounding percentage (27.2 percent), while Sacramento ranks 14th in defensive rebounding percentage (77.6 percent) since last season.
The Kings have had records of 27-57 straight up (SU) and 41-40-3 against the spread (ATS) since last season. A little over half of Sacramento games have finished under the O/U total since last season.
The Thunder, meanwhile, have records of 48-36 SU and 48-40-1 ATS since last season. Over that same time frame, games featuring Oklahoma City have had a tendency to go under the projected point total (56.2 percent).
The Thunder won three out of four meetings against the Kings last season. In the last game, Oklahoma City won 106-101. The Thunder knocked down 14 of their 18 free throws (77.8 percent) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.548 vs. 0.473).
Sacramento Kings at Oklahoma City Thunder Odds Pick
NBA Prediction: SU Winner – Kings, ATS Winner – Kings, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
When allowing under 100 points, Oklahoma City is 23-6 and Sacramento is 18-7.
The Kings are 17-23 when they score more than 100 points, while the Thunder are 46-20.
Oklahoma City ranks first in points off turnovers per game (18.8) while Sacramento ranks 24th (15.4).
The Thunder rank first in second chance points per game (15.1) while the Kings rank 24th (11.3).
Oklahoma City ranks fifth in rebounds per game (45.1) while Sacramento ranks 28th (40.9).
The Thunder rank 11th in three pointers attempted per game (30.4) while the Kings rank 29th in three pointers allowed per game (31.5).
Oklahoma City ranks first in steals per game (9.0) while Sacramento ranks 17th in steals allowed per game (7.7).
The Thunder rank fifth in fast break points per game (15.0) while the Kings rank 20th (10.7).
Oklahoma City ranks 12th in blocks per game (5.0) while Sacramento ranks 25th (4.1).
The Kings rank fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (42.7) while the Thunder rank eighth (43.7).
Sacramento ranks 26th in assists per game (21.5) while Oklahoma City ranks 29th (21.0).
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