The New Orleans Pelicans (27-27, 18-9 Home) will try to slow down the league’s top scoring team when they host the Sacramento Kings (29-22, 13-11 Away) on Sunday.
Sacramento was edged out by the Indiana Pacers 107-104 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday. Harrison Barnes had a standout performance in the loss with 23 points. The Kings are third in the Western Conference.
New Orleans is playing on back-to-back days after finding victory yesterday at Smoothie King Center, beating the Los Angeles Lakers 131-126. Brandon Ingram recorded 35 points to top the scoresheet. With 18 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists, Jonas Valanciunas also had a strong game.
The Pelicans are 10th in the Western Conference. This marks the first meeting of the season between the teams. Sacramento and New Orleans split their matchups last season, winning two games apiece. The Pelicans earned the win in the last meeting 123-109 at Golden 1 Center in April 2022.
Jaxson Hayes led the Pelicans with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Damian Jones had 22 points in the losing effort. De’Aaron Fox is averaging 24.3 points per game to lead the Kings in scoring this season. Meanwhile, Domantas Sabonis is contributing 12.4 rebounds, most in the league, and 7.0 assists per game.
CJ McCollum’s 21.3 points per game have powered the Pels on offense. McCollum also has doled out 5.9 assists per game. Valanciunas has posted 9.7 rebounds per game. The Kings are averaging 119.2 points per game, ranking as the most explosive offense in the league.
The Pelicans have had success in recent games between the teams at Smoothie King Center, winning six of the last 10. Meanwhile, the Pelicans are 2-6 this season when playing two days in a row and 2-5 with a rest disadvantage.
The Kings are 1-7 with a rest advantage. In the last 10 games, Sacramento is 6-4 with an average margin of +4.3 (117.2-112.9). New Orleans has a 1-9 record over the last 10, allowing 116.4 points per game on average while scoring only 106.7 (-9.7 margin). The Pelicans are averaging 115.1 ppg for the full season while allowing 113.8.
KINGS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points per game:
Kevin Huerter: 11.2 | 15.1 | -3.9
Rebounds per game:
Keegan Murray: 6.8 | 4.6 | +2.2
Assists per game:
Domantas Sabonis: 4.0 | 7.0 | -3.0
PELICANS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Larry Nance Jr.: 22.6 | 15.8 | +6.8
Points per game:
Naji Marshall: 6.2 | 9.9 | -3.7
Rebounds per game:
Larry Nance Jr.: 10.4 | 6.0 | +4.4
SportsTips’ NBA Pick:
NO Pelicans (-135)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
