For two teams that hardly have any history between them, the past year has been special. On Tuesday the Warriors and Kings butt heads in the final Western Group C match with passage to the knockout round on the line. Both had the weekend off after playing their third group games on Friday. The Warriors handled the Spurs 118-112, and the Kings declawed the Timberwolves, 124-111.

Sacramento is 3-0 in tournament play and Golden State 2-1. The Kings have a +9.6 point differential and the Warriors +1.7, so this is going to be a big night.

Check the NBA odds as they develop.

Warriors vs. Kings NBA Betting Odds

As previously stated, it’s only in 2023 that Golden State-Sacramento matchups have carried much meaning, but it’s been a heck of a ride so far. As most remember, they met in the first round of the playoffs last spring, with the Warriors pulling away 4-3 courtesy of a huge Stephen Curry road performance in Game 7. They’ve already met twice this season in two firey affairs. Golden State took the first 122-114, and the second, if barely, 102-101.

It’s not been the season many were expecting for the Warriors. At 8-9, it’s safe to argue that this year’s Golden State crew hasn’t done itself any favours. Against the spread, things are even worse with a 6-11 record. Playing away from home has proven more beneficial, as Steve Kerr’s group has compiled a decent 5-3 tally. It should be noted that the club has failed to handle five spreads in a row.

The Kings are doing a bit better at 9-6, although memories of back-to-back-losses in New Orleans last week are still fresh. Interestingly enough, their outright win-loss record is reflected in their effort ATS. Curiously, they’ve covered the last two games for which they were an underdog but failed to do so for the last two times they were favoured.

Golden State Warriors

The game against the Spurs on Friday night was much needed. It didn’t cover all the cracks in the armour. San Antonio made the contest more interesting than Warriors fans would have liked, but it still ended in victory at home, something the team has struggled with lately.

The first quarter was a bit rough, with the visitors taking a modest three-point lead into the second period. Golden State’s defence had trouble dealing with Victor Wembanyama in the first half, with the big Frenchman making shots over even the tallest Warriors defenders. But overall this Golden State performance resembled that of the old days, with 45.2 per cent efficiency from beyond the three-point perimeter and an excellent 35 assists. Stephen Curry hit seven of his 14 attempts of distance and finished with 35 points. Dario Saric is proving to be a secret weapon off the bench this season. He finished with 20 and seven boards. Klay Thompson continues to be a little gun-shy, hitting 3-for-11. Right now the Warriors are what they are: average on offence and average on defence.

Sacramento Kings

Sacramento had a much taller order on Friday by visiting one of the hottest teams in the league, the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was a game that demonstrated what the Kings are like when they play their game and find it in themselves to tighten up their defence.

Given that point differential matters in the tournament, Sacramento played a terrific match, scoring quite literally until the final seconds of the game despite that the outcome was decided. Minnesota is a sound defensive ensemble, but they struggled to deal with De’Aaron Fox all evening, with the Kings star finishing with 35 points, looking silky smooth in the process. Fox tallied 12 assists as well, further showcasing his all-around solid game. Harrison Barnes hit some huge shots and went a very nice 7-for-11, and Malik Monk was the X-factor off the bench, tallying 17 points, including a couple of nice flushes. Kings win a big one, 124-111.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Warriors vs. Kings?

• Regular Season

Warriors Team Leaders

GS

Points	Stephen Curry 26.43
Assists	Chris Paul 6.78
Rebounds	Draymond Green 7.24
FG%	Trayce Jackson-Davis 70.2
Steals	Chris Paul 1.21
Blocks	Trayce Jackson-Davis 1.12

SAC

Points	De'Aaron Fox 26.57
Assists	Domantas Sabonis 8.21
Rebounds	Domantas Sabonis 13.66
FG%	Jalen Slawson 66.7
Steals	De'Aaron Fox 2.03
Blocks	Keegan Murray 0.77

• Regular Season

Kings Team Leaders

GS

Points	Stephen Curry 26.43
Assists	Chris Paul 6.78
Rebounds	Draymond Green 7.24
FG%	Trayce Jackson-Davis 70.2
Steals	Chris Paul 1.21
Blocks	Trayce Jackson-Davis 1.12

SAC

Points	De'Aaron Fox 26.57
Assists	Domantas Sabonis 8.21
Rebounds	Domantas Sabonis 13.66
FG%	Jalen Slawson 66.7
Steals	De'Aaron Fox 2.03
Blocks	Keegan Murray 0.77

Injuries

Golden State

Draymond Green (PF)

Prob Tues Knee - 13 / 04 / 24

Klay Thompson (SG)

Prob Sun Knee - 13 / 04 / 24

Chris Paul (PG)

Prob Sun Hamstring - 13 / 04 / 24

Javonte Green (SG)

Ques Sun Rest - 13 / 04 / 24

Jonathan Kuminga (PF)

Ques Sun Pelvis - 12 / 04 / 24

Dario Saric (SF)

Ques Sun Knee - 12 / 04 / 24

Gary Payton II (PG)

Out Tues Calf - 11 / 04 / 24

Klay Thompson (SG)

Prob Fri Knee - 11 / 04 / 24

Draymond Green (PF)

Prob Fri Knee - 10 / 04 / 24

Draymond Green (PF)

Prob Tues Back - 08 / 04 / 24

Sacramento

Olivier-Maxence Prosper (PF)

Que Wed Ankle - 25 / 04 / 24

Trey Lyles (PF)

Prob Sun Illness - 14 / 04 / 24

JaVale McGee (C)

Prob Fri Illness - 11 / 04 / 24

Jordan Ford (PG)

Prob Fri Hip - 10 / 04 / 24

Malik Monk (SG)

Mid May Knee - 29 / 03 / 24

Kevin Huerter (SG)

out for season Shoulder - 19 / 03 / 24

Kevin Huerter (SG)

Prob Sat Leg - 13 / 03 / 24

Trey Lyles (PF)

Prob Sun Knee - 13 / 03 / 24

Davion Mitchell (PG)

Prob Sun Chest - 09 / 03 / 24

De'Aaron Fox (PG)

Ques Mon Knee - 27 / 02 / 24

Injuries

Golden State

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Draymond Green (PF)	Prob Tues	Knee - 13 / 04 / 24	0-3	1-1-1	+ -
Green is tending to a right knee contusion, but it is expected that he will be active for the Western Conference Play-in tournament versus the Kings.
Klay Thompson (SG)	Prob Sun	Knee - 13 / 04 / 24	0-3	1-1-1	+ -
Thompson is dealing with right knee tendinitis, but it is likely that he will dress Sunday versus the Jazz.
Chris Paul (PG)	Prob Sun	Hamstring - 13 / 04 / 24	0-3	1-1-1	+ -
Paul is nursing left hamstring tightness, but it is likely that he will partake in Sunday's matchup with the Jazz.
Javonte Green (SG)	Ques Sun	Rest - 13 / 04 / 24	0-3	1-1-1	+ -
Green may be held out of Sunday's clash against the Knicks for rest purposes.
Jonathan Kuminga (PF)	Ques Sun	Pelvis - 12 / 04 / 24	1-3	2-1-1	+ -
Kuminga was absent from the last contest due to a right pelvic contusion, and it is uncertain if he will face the Jazz on Sunday.
Dario Saric (SF)	Ques Sun	Knee - 12 / 04 / 24	1-3	2-1-1	+ -
Saric missed the previous match with lateral joint line pain in his right knee, leaving his status for Sunday's clash against the Jazz in question.
Gary Payton II (PG)	Out Tues	Calf - 11 / 04 / 24	1-3	2-1-1	+ -
Payton II is managing left calf tightness, and he will not be in the lineup versus the Kings for the Western Conference Play-in tournament.
Klay Thompson (SG)	Prob Fri	Knee - 11 / 04 / 24	1-3	2-1-1	+ -
Thompson was absent from the previous match with right knee tendinitis, but it is anticipated that he will be active against the Pelicans on Friday.
Draymond Green (PF)	Prob Fri	Knee - 10 / 04 / 24	1-4	3-1-1	+ -
Green missed the last game due to a right knee contusion, but he is expected to be available for Friday's clash versus the Pelicans.
Draymond Green (PF)	Prob Tues	Back - 08 / 04 / 24	1-5	3-2-1	+ -
Green was lifted from the last game due to a back injury, but it is likely that he will dress for Tuesday's matchup with the Lakers.

Sacramento

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Olivier-Maxence Prosper (PF)	Que Wed	Ankle - 25 / 04 / 24	0-0	0-0	+ -
Prosper is nursing an ankle sprain, and it remains to be seen if he will face the Celtics in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Trey Lyles (PF)	Prob Sun	Illness - 14 / 04 / 24	2-0	0-2	+ -
Lyles is battling an illness, but it is likely that he will participate in Sunday's matchup versus the Trail Blazers.
JaVale McGee (C)	Prob Fri	Illness - 11 / 04 / 24	2-2	1-3	+ -
McGee missed the last game with an illness, but it is predicted that he will be available Friday against the Suns.
Jordan Ford (PG)	Prob Fri	Hip - 10 / 04 / 24	2-2	1-3	+ -
Ford was held from the last match tending to a right hip issue, but it is predicted that he will face the Suns on Friday.
Malik Monk (SG)	Mid May	Knee - 29 / 03 / 24	6-5	3-8	+ -
Monk is sidelined due to a sprained right MCL, and he is projected to miss four to six weeks.
Kevin Huerter (SG)	out for season	Shoulder - 19 / 03 / 24	9-8	4-13	+ -
Huerter will miss the remainder of the season with a left shoulder dislocation and labral tear.
Kevin Huerter (SG)	Prob Sat	Leg - 13 / 03 / 24	11-9	4-16	+ -
Huerter missed the previous match with a right leg contusion, but it is likely that he will take the court against the Knicks on Saturday.
Trey Lyles (PF)	Prob Sun	Knee - 13 / 03 / 24	11-9	4-16	+ -
Lyles has been idle due to a left MCL sprain, but he is expected to make his return against the Jazz on Sunday.
Davion Mitchell (PG)	Prob Sun	Chest - 09 / 03 / 24	11-10	5-16	+ -
Mitchell is hampered by right chest soreness, but he is expected to face the Rockets in Sunday's showdown.
De'Aaron Fox (PG)	Ques Mon	Knee - 27 / 02 / 24	14-13	8-19	+ -
Fox has missed the last two games with a left knee contusion, and it is unknown if he will take the court Monday against the Bulls.