Warriors vs. Kings Point Spread: NBA Odds, Prediction
Don’t be surprised if the Warriors are a bit flat here off Wednesday’s stunning loss to Kawhi Leonard-less Toronto in the potential NBA Finals preview, as after visiting the Kings they head back home. Wouldn’t shock this writer if Coach Steve Kerr rested a key player or two on Friday – although Wednesday’s effort might have changed his mind.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Sacramento hasn’t finished with a winning record since 2005-06, which was also the last time the franchise made the playoffs. It’s not all that likely the Kings will do so this season in the very tough Western Conference (in the East perhaps), but Dave Joerger is a Coach of the Year candidate.
For some reason, the Kings have played the Warriors tough the past few years despite the massive discrepancy in talent. They split four games in 2017-18 and the Kings only lost by one point (117-116) in Oakland on Nov. 24 in the first of this season. Kevin Durant had 44 points and Klay Thompson put back his own miss with five seconds to go for the winning bucket. Golden State didn’t have Steph Curry or Draymond Green. The Kings had two decent looks after Thompson’s bucket but couldn’t convert. They would have won if not for missing eight of 29 free throws. Buddy Hield led Sacramento with 28 points.
The road team has covered six straight in the series.
Golden State Warriors
Wednesday’s 113-93 home loss as 8-point favourites to the Raptors was one of the most surprising results of the season. Golden State figured to cruise with Leonard out and wanting to perhaps send a message ahead of a potential NBA Finals preview and after losing in Toronto two weeks ago. Oh, and the Raptors were playing the second of a back-to-back. The Dubs were full strength after not having Curry and Green in the first meeting with the Raps, but Wednesday’s game was never really in doubt.
Golden State had won 13 in a row at home in the series. Toronto became just the second Eastern Conference team since 2014-15 to sweep the Warriors. Andre Iguodala was out for the Dubs with a hip injury and Shaun Livingston left with a pelvic bruise in the fourth quarter.
Sacramento Kings
Sacramento has won five of six following Wednesday’s 141-130 home victory over the Timberwolves. That wasn’t even season high in points scored for the Kings, who play at one of the fastest paces in the NBA. Sacramento hit a franchise-record 19 3-pointers and set season highs in shooting 58.1 per cent overall and with 33 fast-break points. Rookie Marvin Bagley, the No. 2 overall pick, had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Lightning-fast point guard De’Aaron Fox had 13 points and eight assists. He did seem to tweak some sort of injury so monitor his status.
