Free NBA Picks Today: Sacramento Kings vs Washington Wizards 12/23/22

The Washington Wizards (12-21, 4-14 Away) will try to slow down the league’s top scoring team when they are on the road to face the Sacramento Kings (17-13, 9-5 Home) on Friday. Washington is playing the second of a back-to-back after dropping their last game against the Utah Jazz 120-112 at Vivint Arena yesterday.

Bradley Beal led the way in the losing effort with 30 points. The Wizards are the 12th seed in the Eastern Conference. Sacramento won on Wednesday at Golden 1 Center, beating the Los Angeles Lakers 134-120. Kevin Huerter had 26 points, carrying the team. The Kings are sixth in the Western Conference.

It’s the first meeting of the season between the teams. Sacramento won both matchups between the teams last season, the last of which was a 123-110 triumph at Capital One Arena on February 12.

De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 26 points, while Harrison Barnes played a key role with 21 points. Kyle Kuzma had 22 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists in defeat.

The Wizards have been led this season by Kristaps Porzingis and Kuzma, who are averaging 22.4 and 21.5 points per game, respectively. Porzingis also has grabbed 8.9 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Monte Morris is dishing 5.1 assists per game.

Fox has been the primary provider for the Kings on offense, averaging 23.1 points per game. Domantas Sabonis is collecting 12.3 rebounds, most in the league, and 6.6 assists per game. The Kings are the highest-scoring offense in the NBA with 118.4 points per game.

The Wizards are 3-3 in six trips to Golden 1 Center. Meanwhile, the Wizards are 3-3 when playing the second of a back-to-back this season and 2-3 in such games against rested opponents. The Kings are 0-2 with a rest advantage.

In the last 10 games, Washington is 1-9 with an average margin of -7.3 (111.1-118.4). Sacramento has gone 6-4 over the last 10, scoring 115.3 points per game on average while holding opponents to 113.4 (+1.9 margin).

WIZARDS HOT/COLD

(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Deni Avdija: 22.0 | 16.4 | +5.6
Points per game:
Rui Hachimura: 7.0 | 11.3 | -4.3
Rebounds per game:
Deni Avdija: 7.3 | 5.5 | +1.7