Golden State Warriors vs Sacramento Kings: Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds (4/7/23)
Contents
The Golden State Warriors are visiting the Sacramento Kings in a big Western Conference clash. The Warriors are coming off a home win against the Thunder, while the Kings are coming off a close road loss against the Mavericks. My prediction is that the Warriors cover the 9.5-point spread. The Warriors are still fighting for a playoff spot, while the Kings are most likely sitting all their starters. Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this game!
Golden State Warriors vs. Sacramento Kings Prediction
The Pick: Golden State Warriors -9.5
The Warriors are still fighting for a playoff spot to stay out of the play-in tournament, and they could get as high as the 5-seed, but most likely will end up as the 6-seed.
Steph Curry is still Steph. He’ unstoppable at times and that’s what makes this team so dangerous. He leads the team in scoring at 30 PPG and in three-point shooting at at 42.6%, and is second in assists at 6 per game. Klay Thompson is still up next in scoring as the second splash brother. He averages 22 PPG and is second in three-point shooting at 40.7%. Jordan Poole rounds out a great guard trio and he averages 21 PPG. Jonathan Kuminga has stepped up well with Wiggins out too. He averages 10 PPG on the year too.
The Warriors are one of the best offensive teams in the NBA this season. They’re 2nd in scoring at 118.5 PPG, 11th in offensive rating at 114.7, and 9th in rebounding at 44.4 per game.
On the other side, the Sacramento Kings have been the best story in the NBA this season, clinching a playoff berth for the first time in 16 years.
Almost every one of the Kings in the starting lineup is questionable to play, except Harrison Barnes. The Kings have everything locked up so it makes sense to rest some players. Harrison Barnes will be the player that steps up the most with the players out. He averages 15 PPG and 36.7% from three-point range. Malik Monk and Trey Lyles should play, despite being questionable. Monk averages 14 PPG and Lyles averages 8 PPG. Davion Mitchell should also play off the bench and he averages 6 PPG.
The Kings are the best offensive team in the NBA this season.They’re first in scoring at 121 PPG, first in offensive rating at 119.1, second in field goal percentage at 49.6%, and 7th in point differential at +3.1.
The simple thing in this matchup is who’s playing. The Kings are resting guys and have guys injured, while the Warriors aren’t. The Warriors have playoff standing to play for and they should win and cover this spread easily because of that.
Golden State Warriors vs. Sacramento Kings Betting Odds
The Golden State Warriors are 9.5-point road favorites against the Sacramento Kings and are at -425 on the money line. The over/under is also at 235. It makes sense the Warriors are this much of a favorite, despite it being on the road. The over/under also makes sense because these two teams are two of the best offenses in the NBA, even with the Kings resting a lot of players. This spread could move more based around official news on the Kings players resting or playing.
Betting Trends
Warriors are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win.
Kings are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games following a straight up loss.
Key Matchups
Can Davion Mitchell matchup with Steph Curry? Can Jonathan Kuminga matchup with Harrison Barnes?
Steph Curry vs. Davion Mitchell
Steph Curry has been great this season for the Warriors. He averages 30 points, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds per game. He’ll be matched up against Davion Mitchell most of the game, who averages 6 points, 2 assists, and 1 rebound per game. Mitchell can defend well, but Curry is reason enough for the Warriors to cover against a shorthanded Kings team because of the motivation factor.
Harrison Barnes vs. Jonathan Kuminga
Harrison Barnes has been very reliable for the Kings this year. He averages 15 points, 2 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game. He’ll be matched up against Jonathan Kuminga most of the game, who averages 10 points, 2 assists, and 3 rebounds per game. Kuminga is good, but Barnes is better and more experienced. Still, the Warriors win and cover the 9.5-point spread because Barnes will be asked to do the heavy lifting in this game with everyone else out.
Golden State Warriors Starting Lineup
PG: Stephen Curry
SG: Klay Thompson
SF: Donte DiVincenzo
PF: Jonathan Kuminga
C: Draymond Green
Sacramento Kings Starting Lineups
PG: Davion Mitchell
SG: Kessler Edwards
SF: Harrison Barnes
PF: Trey Lyles
C: Alex Len
Key Injuries
Golden State Warriors Injuries: SF Andre Iguodala (Wrist) O, SF Andrew Wiggins (Personal) O
Sacramento Kings Injuries: PG De’Aaron Fox (Ankle) Q, PF Domantas Sabonis (Ankle) Q
