The Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans square off on Friday to determine who notches the eighth seed in the West. The winner of this contest advances to play the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round. These teams have played five times this season and the Pelicans won every matchup. On April 11, New Orleans defeated the Kings 135-123. Zion Williamson (hamstring) is out for the Pelicans.
Tipoff is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. The Pelicans are 1-point favorites in the latest Kings vs. Pelicans odds, per SportsLine consensus. The over/under for total points is 210.5. Before making any Kings vs. Pelicans picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer simulation model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters the 2024 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 88-58 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,600. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Kings vs. Pelicans and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Kings vs. Pelicans:
- Kings vs. Pelicans spread: Sacramento +1
- Kings vs. Pelicans over/under: 210.5 points
- Kings vs. Pelicans money line: Sacramento -102, New Orleans -118
- SAC: The Kings are 43-40 against the spread this season.
- NO: The Pelicans are 44-38-1 against the spread this season.
- Kings vs. Pelicans picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Kings can cover
Forward Keegan Murray has the ability to score from all three levels. Murray owns a smooth game plan and impacts the game by being off-ball as well. The Iowa product logs 15.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and makes 35% of his 3-point attempts. In Tuesday's win over the Warriors, Murray finished with 32 points, nine rebounds, and made eight 3-pointers.
Forward Harrison Barnes is a fellow contributor in the frontcourt. Barnes cooks in the mid-range area and uses his high release on his jumpers to his advantage. The UNC product will also put the ball on the deck as the 31-year-old puts up 12.2 points and three rebounds per game. He dropped 15-plus points in three of his last four games. On April 11, Barnes notched 22 points, five boards, and four assists. See which team to pick here.
Why the Pelicans can cover
Forward Brandon Ingram is an effective three-level scorer. Ingram can score off the dribble but also gets into the lane with regularity. The Duke product averages 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game. On March 16 against the Portland Trail Blazers, Ingram finished with 22 points, seven boards and four blocks.
Guard Trey Murphy III is a two-way force in the frontcourt. Murphy III has a pure perimeter jumper to be an asset from 3-point land. The Virginia product then uses his length to disrupt others defensively. He averages 14.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and shoots 38% from beyond the arc. In the April 12 game versus Golden State, Murphy III had 24 points and eight boards. See which team to pick here.
How to make Kings vs. Pelicans picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 216 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can only see the model's pick and analysis at SportsLine.
So who Kings vs. Pelicans, and which side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that's 88-58 on top-rated NBA picks this season, and find out.
