Kings vs Lakers: The Sacramento Kings head to Los Angeles to face the Lakers in a Pacific Division showdown on Saturday, October 26, 2024. Following a strong showing last season, where the Kings swept the Lakers 4-0, Sacramento will look to continue their dominance against L.A., who is coming off a dramatic comeback win over Phoenix on Friday night. Here’s a detailed look at the odds, predictions, and expert picks for this exciting matchup.
Kings vs Lakers Game Overview
The Kings, led by Domantas Sabonis and new addition DeMar DeRozan, aim to turn things around after a narrow 117-115 season opener loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite a tough preseason, Sacramento’s lineup holds a slight advantage due to L.A.’s back-to-back game schedule, which may lead to fatigue among key Lakers players. The Kings swept the Lakers last year, including two double-digit wins at Crypto.com Arena, and will look to leverage that momentum tonight.
Meanwhile, the Lakers, who boast a 2-0 record, will rely heavily on Anthony Davis, who has averaged over 35 points and 12 rebounds across their first two games. However, Davis struggled against Sabonis last season, averaging just 18.8 points per game against him, which could make Sacramento a tougher matchup this time around.
Kings vs. Lakers Expert Predictions
NBC Sports’ NBA betting experts see Sacramento’s rest advantage as a critical factor. With LeBron James playing his third game in five days and a 40-year-old veteran’s workload in mind, experts like Vaughn Dalzell believe the Kings could capitalize on the Lakers’ fatigue and hand them their first loss of the season. Sacramento is +2.5 underdogs, but their resilience and familiarity with the Lakers make them a strong value pick.
Expert Pick: Sacramento Kings Moneyline (+130)
- Prediction: Sacramento to win, capitalizing on the Lakers’ rest disadvantage.
- Spread Prediction: Sacramento +2.5
- Best Total Bet: Under 232.5, given both teams’ defensive setups and the Kings’ strong record against the Lakers with a rest advantage.
Notable Player Matchups
Anthony Davis vs. Domantas Sabonis
Davis has been dominant early this season but has struggled against Sabonis in previous matchups. Sabonis’s physicality and rebounding could make this a challenging matchup, especially with Davis playing on minimal rest.
LeBron James vs. DeMar DeRozan
DeRozan’s arrival has added scoring depth for Sacramento, while LeBron, though still impactful, may conserve energy on defense due to the back-to-back game schedule. DeRozan’s fresh legs could give the Kings an edge.
De’Aaron Fox vs. D’Angelo Russell
Speedy point guard De’Aaron Fox will look to set the pace for Sacramento, while D’Angelo Russell will aim to counter with his sharpshooting skills. Fox’s playmaking abilities, coupled with Sacramento’s defensive pressure, could create problems for the Lakers in the backcourt.
Kings vs Lakers Game Information
- Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
- Time: 10:30 PM ET
- Streaming: NBA TV
Betting Trends to Know
Lakers with No Rest: Last season, the Lakers were 4-11 against the spread (ATS) when on no rest and struggled in back-to-back situations, while Sacramento was one of the league’s top teams ATS with a rest advantage.
Points Total Trends: The Lakers tend to hit the over in back-to-back games, while the Kings have historically trended under when given a rest advantage.
Sacramento’s consistent performance against the Lakers, combined with the rest advantage and a fresh lineup, makes them a strong pick to upset the Lakers tonight. Bettors should consider the Kings’ moneyline and possibly the under on the 232.5 points total.
