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LA Lakers vs Sacramento Kings Prediction NBA Picks 12/21/24
Pick details
Sacramento Kings (13-15) vs LA Lakers (15-12)
December 21, 2024 at 06:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Sacramento Kings -6.5— Over/Under: 229
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings duke it out once again at the Golden 1 Center on Saturday night. Here’s an LA Lakers vs Sacramento Kings Prediction. This article will include an LA Lakers vs Sacramento Kings Pick.
Los Angeles LakersÂ
The Los Angeles Lakers are starting to turn things around as they’ve won three of their past four games overall and they will be aiming for a third straight victory after routing the Kings in a 113-100 road win on Thursday. Austin Reaves led the team in scoring with 25 points, six rebounds, and five assists, Anthony Davis tallied 21 points with 19 rebounds and six blocks while LeBron James chipped in with 19 points and seven assists. As a team, the Lakers shot 40 percent from the field and 12 of 33 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 37 points in the first quarter to take the early lead, but they couldn’t really get any separation until the fourth quarter where they restricted the Kings to just 20 points to win by double digits. The Lakers will meet the Pistons after this game.
Sacramento KingsÂ
Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings have been in a rut as they’ve lost five of their last nine games overall and they will be hoping to avoid a third straight defeat after getting routed by the Lakers on Thursday. De’Aaron Fox led the team with 26 points and five assists, Domantas Sabonis tallied 18 points with 12 rebounds and nine assists while Malik Monk chipped in with 17 points. As a team, the Kings shot 45 percent from the field and 11 of 29 from the 3-point line as they worked hard to stay within striking distance of the Lakers, until the fourth quarter where they scored just eight points in the final 6:24 to allow the Lakers to slip away. The Kings will face the Pacers, Pistons, Lakers, and Mavericks following this one.
Why the Sacramento Kings will win
- The home team has won six of the Lakers’ last seven games.
- The Lakers have lost five of their last six day games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine road games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Kings have covered the spread in six of their last seven games on the first leg of a back-to-back after losing as favorites.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Lakers’ last seven road games against Pacific Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of the Kings’ last eight home games against Pacific Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Sacramento Kings Player Facts
- DeMar DeRozan ranks 16th amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.6) this season.
- Keegan Murray ranks T30th amongst qualified players for rebounds per game (7.7) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Kings rank 4th in the league for free throw percentage this season (80.2%).
- The Kings rank 27th in the league for opponent free throw percentage this season (80.2%).
- The Lakers rank 2nd in the league for free throw attempts per game this season (24.3).
- The Lakers rank 3rd in the league for free throws made per game this season (19.0).
LA Lakers vs Sacramento Kings Prediction
The Lakers are still missing Jalen Hood-Schifino and Jaxson Hayes, while the Kings are still playing without Trey Lyles. The Lakers haven’t been at their absolute best lately, but they are relatively healthy and will be full of confidence following their big win over the Kings on Thursday, it’s always tough to beat the same team twice in a row in their own building. With that being said, I just feel that the Kings are too heavily favored in this spot, so I am leaning toward the Lakers with this handy start.
