The San Antonio Spurs (46-34) and Sacramento Kings (26-54) begin Western Conference play at AT&T Center. The game starts at 8:30 p.m. ET on Monday, April 9, 2018, and will air on NBC Sports – California.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 198.5 points with San Antonio opening as a 13-point favorite.
Sacramento Kings at San Antonio Spurs Free Prediction
The Kings will be looking for similar success after just getting past the Memphis Grizzlies in their last outing, 94-93. Sacramento’s effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Memphis. The Kings had a rate of 0.506 (above their season average of 0.503), while the Grizzlies posted a mark of 0.476 (below the 0.545 mark opponents have averaged against Sacramento this season). Sacramento was lifted by Willie Cauley-Stein, who was the team’s leading scorer with 18 points on 9-for-14 shooting.
In the Spurs’ last matchup, they defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 116-105. The Spurs had 12 steals, while the Trail Blazers had a free throw rate of 0.114 (below their season average of 0.195). LaMarcus Aldridge was San Antonio’s high scorer with 28 points on 13-for-22 shooting.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when a pair of the NBA’s slowest-paced teams square off. San Antonio ranks 29th in possessions per game (96.8) and Sacramento is 28th (97.4). Additionally, the Kings’ 29th-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 101.7) will face a tough challenge against the Spurs’ fourth-ranked defense (defensive efficiency of 102.9).
Sacramento heads into the game with records of 26-54 straight up (SU) and 37-40-3 against the spread (ATS). Kings games have no tendency in regards to the total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Meanwhile, San Antonio owns records of 46-34 SU and 41-35-4 ATS. Much like Sacramento, games featuring the Spurs have a slight tendency to finish under the total (52.5 percent).
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Cauley-Stein (14.6 points and 7.2 rebounds) has been fantastic for the Kings while Aldridge (24.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocks) has contributed greatly to the Spurs.
The Spurs have won all three games against the Kings this season, including a 15-point victory the last time these teams met. San Antonio covered as a 12-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 211 points, which was 13 points above the projected point total of 198 points. The Spurs had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (31.7 vs. 13.3) and had a better turnover percentage (6.7 vs. 9.4). De’Aaron Fox scored a game-high 26 points.
Sacramento Kings vs. San Antonio Spurs Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Spurs, ATS Winner – Kings, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Sacramento is 19-18-3 ATS on the road with 20 unders, 19 overs and 1 push.
At home, San Antonio is 26-13-1 ATS with 20 overs and 20 unders.
Sacramento is 17-6 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while San Antonio is 31-10.
In games where they score above 100 points, the Kings are 17-21 and the Spurs are 36-14.
San Antonio ranks fifth in three pointers allowed per game (26.5) while Sacramento ranks 26th (31.4).
The Spurs rank fourth in blocks per game (5.7) while the Kings rank 23rd (4.2).
San Antonio ranks ninth in rebounds per game (44.3) while Sacramento ranks 28th (40.8).
The Spurs rank 15th in assists per game (22.9) while the Kings rank 25th (21.6).
Sacramento averages 7.9 steals per game, which ranks ninth in the NBA. San Antonio ranks 14th in steals allowed per game (7.6).
The Spurs rank eighth in second chance points per game (13.2) while the Kings rank 10th in second chance points allowed per game (11.6).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Sacramento is 2-3 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
San Antonio 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 4.0, down from 7.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Spurs have scored an average of 108.2 points per game (5.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 104.4 points per game (4.7 above their season average).
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