Dallas Mavericks vs. Sacramento Kings Prediction, NBA Odds
The single elimination game has prolonged the seasons of a pair of sub-.500 clubs, with the winner getting a date with the Memphis Grizzlies for an actual spot in the NBA Playoffs.
Both Dallas and Sacramento shipped away star players this season, moves that had different effects on their rosters. Dallas finished 26-34 without Luka Doncic this season, now a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. Sacramento has gone 19-18 without De’Aaron Fox this season, now a member of the San Antonio Spurs. The addition of Zach LaVine, acquired in the Fox trade, has given the Kings more reliable shooting which ultimately got the Kings to finish in the top 10 in the NBA in scoring with 115.7 points per game.
Oddsmakers are leaning Sacramento’s way, with the Kings a 4.5-point favourite on Wednesday and the total at 215.5 on the NBA odds. Tip-off at Golden 1 Center goes at 10 p.m. EDT.
Mavericks vs. Kings NBA Betting Odds
Since becoming a playoff system in 2021, Sacramento is 1-1 in the NBA play-in tournament. The Kings defeated Golden State in last year’s 9 vs. 10 play-in game, before losing to New Orleans in the second round of the tournament. Wednesday will be Dallas’ first ever play-in game.
Sacramento swept a three-game regular season series with Dallas this season. Two of the three wins were by double digits, and the other a 129-128 overtime victory. Sacramento scored at least 120 points in two of the three wins while Dallas only went over 100 points once. Luka Doncic did not play in any of the three Dallas losses to Sacramento this season.
The under has hit in seven of the last eight Mavericks–Kings contests. Overall, Dallas has been playing to the over as of late with 10 of their last 12 road games hitting the over. Both teams allowed 115 points per game this season, ranking below-average in the NBA.
Dallas Mavericks
Dallas ended the regular season with one win in their last five outings, and four losses of at least 15 points. After the Doncic trade, the story of the Mavericks’ season has been troubles staying healthy. When it comes to health, Anthony Davis (adductor) is listed as probable and Brandon Williams as questionable (oblique) for Wednesday. Klay Thompson and Dereck Lively II are good to go, meaning Dallas’ starting five should look something like: Davis, P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall, Lively II, and Thompson.
Davis has averaged 20 points and 10.1 rebounds per game since coming over the Lakers, both of which are serious regressions from his numbers in L.A. prior this season. Dallas needs a monster night from Davis if they’re to pull off the upset, and look for Marshall to try and find a rhythm offensively. Marshall’s reached 20+ points in some recent outings, so the potential for an outburst is there.
Sacramento Kings
Sacramento’s key to victory on Wednesday has to be neutralizing Anthony Davis, a task made for the likes of Domantas Sabonis and Jonas Valanciunas. Sabonis is coming off another season of leading the NBA in rebounds per game, this time setting a career-high of 13.9 per game. And Valanciunas, the 32-year-old veteran, still has some game left in him after posting a double-double in Sacramento’s regular season finale with 22 points and 10 rebounds.
Another option for the Kings is to up the offensive tempo with guards Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan. Both averaged 22 points a game with the Kings this season and score efficiently; LaVine in particular, who shot above 51 per cent from the field this season. LaVine’s the hot hand, averaging 27.4 points per game in April.
DAL
SAC