Pelicans vs Kings NBA In-Season Tournament Prediction & Best Bets: Will New Orleans Be Outfoxed in Sacramento?

In the group stage of the NBA In-Season Tournament, the Sacramento Kings were one of four teams to finish with a perfect 4-0 record. The reward for that perfection is a home quarterfinal against the New Orleans Pelicans (10:00 pm ET, TNT), who will be looking to back their road form this season to book a spot in the semifinals.

After finishing third in the Western Conference last season, the Kings are fourth in the West with an 11-7 record through 18 games.

Four of their 11 wins have come in the In-Season Tournament, as they swept West Group C with wins over the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Golden State Warriors.

The Kings are 6-2 at home this season, losing only to the Warriors on October 27 and the Los Angeles Clippers this past Wednesday. So, they are in the right kind of form heading into tonight's matchup with the Pelicans.

Bet on the NBA In-Season Tournament at BetDSI

New Orleans has been up and down to start the season, winning four of five, losing five in a row, winning five of six, and now losing three of five. But that 5-1 run came at just the right time, as that is when they picked up their three West Group B wins.

Those wins over the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, and Los Angeles Clippers enabled the Pelicans to finish atop West Group B.

However, they have not done all that well away from New Orleans thus far this season, winning three of nine road games. That's not particularly encouraging for tonight, given how well the Kings are faring at Golden 1 Center thus far this season.

New Orleans Pelicans vs Sacramento Kings Odds

Odds are courtesy of Bovada.

Spread

• New Orleans Pelicans +3 (-110)
• Sacramento Kings -3 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 238.5 (-115)
• Under 238.5 (-105)

Moneyline

• New Orleans Pelicans +130
• Sacramento Kings -150

New Orleans Pelicans vs Sacramento Kings Prediction and Best Bets

Prediction: Kings to win

Best Bets: Kings -3 (-115 at Bovada)

The Pelicans are 2-0 against the Kings this season, but both wins have come in New Orleans.

On November 20, New Orleans throttled Sacramento 129-93 behind 31 points by Brandon Ingram and 26 by Zion Williams. Then last Wednesday, 48 combined points for Williamson (25) and Ingram (23) led the way in a 117-112 win at Smoothie King Center.

Those two defeats account for two-thirds of the losses the Kings have had in their last 11 games. So, the Pelicans have reason to feel good about their chances to score a third win, even on the road, while the Kings will feel good about their chances to pick a great time for their first win over New Orleans this season.

It's also worth noting that the Kings are 6-4 in games following a win thus far this season, while the Pelicans are only 4-5 in games following a loss.

This is still ultimately a regular season game, and while the stakes are higher tonight than in most other regular season games, notable trends and current form are both still worth considering.

With how well the Kings have largely played at home, I see no reason to bet against them tonight, especially when New Orleans has not fared so well away from the friendly confines.

Best Player Prop Bets for Pelicans vs Kings

De'Aaron Fox Over 38.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-110 at Bovada)

Fox is on a heck of an individual run over his last several games and will be key to Sacramento's progress to the In-Season Tournament semifinals.

• 123-117 win vs Nuggets (12/2): 26 points, four rebounds, 16 assists
• 131-117 loss vs Clippers (11/29): 40 points, five rebounds, three assists
• 124-123 win vs Warriors (11/28): 29 points, nine rebounds, seven assists
• 124-111 win at Timberwolves (11/24): 36 points, seven rebounds, 12 assists

Where to Bet on the NBA

Many of the top online sportsbooks offer a wide variety of NBA odds throughout the year.

In addition to being able to bet on 2024 NBA championship odds, you can make daily NBA picks on games all season long, including tonight's Mavericks vs Spurs matchup in San Antonio.

Also, you can bet on the NBA All-Star Game and the major awards like NBA MVP, NBA Rookie of the Year, and more at most reputable sports betting sites.

There are numerous sports betting sites you can choose from that are good for NBA betting. Here are several books that we have reviewed and highly recommend:

• BetDSI
• BetOnline
• BetUS
• Bookmaker
• Bovada
• MyBookie
• Sportsbetting.ag

If you don't have an account at a book on this list, check out our reviews to help you determine if it is worth your interest and your betting funds.

Other NBA Content

• NBA Scoring Leader Odds
• NBA Betting Guide: How to Bet on the NBA in 2023
• How to Bet on NBA Player Props