NBA betting tips: Sacramento Kings to ground New Orleans Pelicans in Louisiana

When it comes to betting on the NBA, good picks are like buses in that you wait ages for the right one and then multiple come along at once but, oh boy, are they worth the wait.

It was yet another clean sweep with our two picks last time out, taking the overall record of this column to a respectable 7-1.

We are set for a different approach this week, however, as we take an in-depth dive into the much-anticipated clash between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Sacramento Kings.

Sports News Blitz writer George Dempsey is here with the latest round of NBA betting tips.

Sacramento Kings at New Orleans Pelicans

Nobody would argue that pelicans are majestic creatures, but they are undoubtedly intelligent and adaptable.

Unfortunately, such attributes do not apply to the New Orleans Pelicans, who more closely resemble the manky carcass of a helpless pigeon left on the side of the road after a collision.

As a result, although nothing can be taken for granted in the NBA, it will be a thorough disappointment for the Kings if they do not manage to beat their hosts on Friday.

The team from Louisiana are having a torrid season amidst an ongoing injury crisis, losing 20 of 25 contests so far, including a 121-116 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday.

And while Daniel Theis, Jordan Hawkins, and Jose Alvardo could all make their long-awaited returns against the Kings, the likes of Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson remain out of action. The latter’s absence, in particular, robs the Pelicans of a much-needed scoring touch.

In contrast, the Kings have scored 120 points or more in four of their last five outings, with that run containing a 141-97 slaughtering of the Utah Jazz and a 140-113 stroll in the park against the Spurs.

That is not the type of offence the Pelicans can live with right now.

Since 2018, teams that win and score 130+ points in back-to-back games have gone on to cover the spread just shy of 65% of the time.

Here, the spread has stayed low because the Kings still have a tendency to be inconsistent but, after finishing with a 46-36 record last season, they will expect better of themselves.

Currently sitting at 12-13 and having recently grabbed back-to-back wins for the first time since early November, the Kings will be keen to exploit the struggling Pelicans and move to .500.

Suggested bet: Sacramento Kings -5

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