Washington Wizards vs. Sacramento Kings Prediction, Preview, and Odds
Washington Wizards (4-20) vs. Sacramento Kings (15-9)
The 2023-24 NBA season continues Monday, December 18, with a busy 11-game slate including this interconference showdown at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, so here’s the best Wizards vs. Kings pick.
This is the first meeting between these teams in the season. The road team won each of the meetings last season. The Wizards will be without G Johnny Davis, SG Landry Shamet, and SG Delon Wright. Sacramento will be missing point guard De’Aaron Fox.
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Wizards Snap Losing Skid
The Washington Wizards (4-20, 11-13-0 ATS) snapped a six-game losing streak when they defeated the Indiana Pacers on Friday, 137-123. Washington takes on Phoenix on Sunday, but this preview was written prior to the conclusion of that contest. That contest against Phoenix is the beginning of a four-game road trip. The Wizards have lost four straight games on the road and are 2-12 on the road this season.
Washington trailed by seven after one quarter but dominated the second frame, outscoring Indiana 39-18. The Wizards shot 56.5% overall, including 13-27 (48.1%) from three-point range and were 20-26 (76.9%) from the free-throw line. Indiana did take 107 shots in the game, hitting on 44.9%.
“Somebody has a triple-double, usually means people are making shots. JP had eight assists,” Kyle Kuzma said. “The ball was popping. Everybody touched it and had opportunities to score.”
Kuzma led the team with 31 points, hitting 11 of 23 shots. The small forward has scored at least 21 points in four of his six games this month and has been in double digits all season long, averaging 23.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game.
Washington is sixth in shooting percentage (40.6%), but has not been a very good three-point shooting (35.5%) or free-throw shooting team (77.7%). Defensively they have really struggled, as opponents have hit 50.3% against them, ranking them 29th overall. They are last in opponent rebounding per game at 49.1 per game and are last in rebounding at 39.1 per contest.
Kings Crush Jazz
The Sacramento Kings (15-9, 14-10-0) earned their second straight victory when they defeated the Utah Jazz on Saturday, 125-104. It was the second straight game for the team scoring at least 125 points and they have scored that number or gone over in three of the last four contests. This is the third contest of a six-game homestand that has seen the team win the first two contests and they are 9-3 at home (7-5-0 ATS) this season.
The Kings dominated this game from the start, taking a 12-point advantage in the first quarter and extending it to 30 in the third quarter. The Kings shot 54.1% from the field, and have really been rolling at home of late, scoring at least 117 points in eight straight games, including six of those contests with 120 or more.
“I thought Keegan was playing the right way,” Kings coach Mike Brown said. “There was nothing really forced. Our guys didn’t really force anything to him. They just hit him when he was open.”
Keegan Murray had a huge game, producing 47 points off 16 of 23 shooting, including 12-15 from three-point range. He also added eight rebounds. That was a huge performance for the forward, who had scored as many as 20 points just one time in his previous nine games. He is averaging 19.7 points per game over the last 10 contests.
Sacramento is eighth in points per game (117.1) but is 21st in points allowed per contest (116.6). That is not surprising considering they are 25th in opponent field-goal percentage (48.7%). The Kings are 21st in field-goal percentage (46.8%) and 28th in free-throw percentage (74.3%).
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Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
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Because the Wizards play on Sunday, no line or total was set at the time this preview was written. However, the recent struggles of the Wizards and the success of Sacramento clearly make them the favorite. Washington finally snapped of their six-game losing streak but have lost 15 of their last 17.
Meanwhile, Sacramento has won four of their last five and has been an offensive machine at home of late. With Washington struggling, Sacramento will likely be favored by at least 10 in this contest. Look for them to win by at least 12.
Prediction: Take the Sacramento Kings
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
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These teams have gone under in seven of the last 10 meetings. Washington has gone over in six of their last 10 and Sacramento has gone over in seven of their last 10. By the way that the Wizards are scoring at home, they should put up at least 125 in this game. Washington is not a big powerhouse, but Sacramento is struggling to shut down opponents as well.
Only go under if the total is set above 235.0.
Prediction: Take the Over
Viktor "The Viking" Allenson has been slaying the books for many years now. He has hammered the lines in all sports including basketball, football, soccer, MMA and baseball. The Viking's strength is his versatility and research in all sports. He also has the ability to find soft lines that the public loves and goes the other way.
