NBA Odds: Kings (-3)
The Sacramento Kings host a showdown against the Boston Celtics at Sleep Train Arena. Action begins at 10:00 pm ET on Friday, Feb. 20 and can be seen on CSN-NE and CSN-CA.
The Kings are hoping for a better outcome after their 111-103 loss to the Bucks in their last matchup. Despite the loss, DeMarcus Cousins earned his 33rd double-double this season with 28 points and 19 rebounds. The Celtics, meanwhile, are coming off an 89-88 win against the Hawks in their last game. Jared Sullinger claimed his 12th double-double of the season with 17 points and 15 rebounds.
Sullinger has upped his play over the last five games for the Celtics, averaging 18.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.0 steal, 0.6 blocks, and 0.8 three-pointers.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams, with the Celtics winning the first matchup 106-84. Sullinger put up a double-double in the victory with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
Sacramento is a three-point favorite against Boston and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is unavailable as of now. The Kings have gone 18-34 Straight Up (SU) and 21-29-2 Against The Spread (ATS). Over their last 10 games, they have only managed a record of 3-7 ATS. The Kings have made 1,181 free throws this season (22.7 per game), which leads the league. Crossing over to the defensive side of the court, the Kings prevent teams from making three-pointers on the defensive end, ranking fifth in the league with a .334 opponent field-goal percentage from three-point range.
In the other locker room, the Celtics have 20-31 SU and 29-22 ATS records. Boston performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning an 8-2 record. The Celtics are a unselfish team with an average of 24.5 assists per game, ranking fourth in the NBA.
In their previous meeting this season, Boston beat Sacramento, bumping its SU record over the last 10 meetings to 7-3. The teams are even ATS, with a 5-5 record. In these last 10 matchups, Boston held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers three times, with Sacramento controlling all three of these areas twice.
Predictions: SU Winner – BOS, ATS Winner – BOS
Notes
On average, Boston scores 100.8 points per game (ranked 11th). Sacramento ranks 27th in points allowed per game with 104.2.
Sacramento ranks 26th in points allowed per home game (102.6 PPG), while Boston ranks 11th in points per away game with 99.6.
When allowing fewer than 100 points, the Kings are 10-6 on the season. When the Celtics score fewer than 100, they are an abysmal 4-17.
Sacramento is a subpar 8-28 when it allows 100 or more points. Boston has a 16-14 record when it reaches the century mark.
The Kings have an offensive rating of 101.3 (ranked 19th). The Celtics rank 14th for their defensive rating of 102.6.
The Boston Celtics average 99.7 possessions per game and 1.011 points per possession. The Sacramento Kings earn fewer possessions with 98.8, but they score more points with 1.013.
The Sacramento Kings average an effective field goal percentage of 48.3% this season. The Boston Celtics have an underachieving record of 6-24 when opponents have an EFF% of 48.3% or greater.
Boston, the fourth-ranked team in terms of assists, makes an average of 24.5 per game. Sacramento ranks lower at 30th with 19.3.
The Sacramento Kings average 3.9 blocks per game for a rank of 29th. The Boston Celtics rank higher (28th), earning 3.9 blocks each contest.
The Sacramento Kings rank 14th in offensive rebounding, while the Boston Celtics rank 11th in defensive rebounding.
Boston averages 8.0 steals per game, ranking 10th in the league. Sacramento is a losing 11-29 when it gives up at least 7 steals.
