Sacramento Kings vs New Orleans Player Prop Picks 12/12/24

The Sacramento Kings will face the New Orleans Pelicans on December 12th in a matchup where both teams are still trying to find their groove this season. The Kings, known for their high-powered offense led by De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, aim to exploit their fast-paced style and effective ball movement. Sacramento’s ability to generate scoring opportunities from both the perimeter and the paint will be key, particularly against a Pelicans team that thrives defensively in the half-court.

An important factor will be Sacramento’s defense against three-point shooting. Players like Trey Murphy III and CJ McCollum pose a significant threat from beyond the arc, and the Kings will need to prioritize closing out on shooters effectively. For the Pelicans, their ability to slow down Fox’s drives and disrupt Sabonis’s passing lanes could dictate the tempo of the game. Unfortunately for the Pelicans, they’ll be without both Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.

Trey Murphy Over 2.5 Three Pointers

Trey Murphy III has been a notable three-point contributor for the New Orleans Pelicans. He’s averaging 2.6 made three-pointers per game on 7.9 attempts, resulting in a three-point shooting percentage of 33.3%. While his efficiency from deep is below his career average, his volume and role as a perimeter threat remain integral to the Pelicans’ offense.

We’ve seen Trey Murphy have over 2 three-pointers in his last five games and in his last game he had 4 three-pointers against the San Antonio Spurs. With the Pelicans dealing with major injuries they’ve needed to rely on some of their younger scores to be more productive. Murphy has a favorable matchup going against the Sacramento Kings team who allow 15 3-pointers per game to opposing teams which is the second most in the league. If the Pelicans want to stick in this game Trey Murphy will have to be effective from beyond the arc. 

Domantas Sabonis Over 12.5 Rebounds

Domantas Sabonis has been performing exceptionally well in this season, particularly in his rebounding. As of mid-December, he’s averaging 12.7 rebounds per game, with 9.5 of those being defensive rebounds and 3.3 offensive rebounds. This performance is consistent with his reputation as one of the league’s top rebounders. His rebounding effort has been key in several games, including his recent outings, where he recorded 16 rebounds against the Spurs and 14 against the Trail Blazers​.

I expect a big night from Sabonis on the boards against this Pelicans team. The Pelicans lack a presence in the paint and the numbers show that. They’re giving up 54.6 rebounds per game to opposing teams which is the fourth most in the whole league. I understand 12.5 is a lot of rebounds but Sabonis is the type of player to fill up the stat sheet in this type of matchup. 

Malik Monk Over 17.5 Points

Malik Monk has been an impactful scorer for the Sacramento Kings this season. As of early December, he’s averaging 16.3 points per game, with a shooting efficiency of 47.5% from the field. His 3-point shooting has been a significant part of his game, connecting on 35.3% of attempts. Monk has also been consistent at the free-throw line, with an 82.2% free-throw percentage. He has recorded impressive performances, including a season-high of 29 points against Portland on November 29th.

We’ve seen Malik Monk score over 18 points in six of his last eight games. He scores a lot of his points from beyond the arc and the Pelicans have struggled to guard the deep ball this season. The Pelicans are giving up 14.3 3-pointers per game to opposing teams which is the fourth most in the league. In what should be a fast-paced high-scoring game I expect Malik Monk to be a force to be reckoned with.