Sacramento Kings vs Cleveland Cavaliers: Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds (12/9/22)

Is there more of a feel-good surprise team in the NBA than the Sacramento Kings right now? Sitting at a winning record early in the year behind an electric style of play, they will look to continue their success against a quality opponent in the Cleveland Cavaliers. Both teams potentially representing the future of the league, this shapes up to be a fun one.

Sacramento Kings vs Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Odds

As for if they will be able to continue their hot start to the season, oddsmakers don’t believe so as oddsmakers opened them up as a +6 underdog. Bettors on the other hand have higher expectations, taking them to as low as +4. While stud point guard De’Aaron Fox has been dealing with a lingering injury, the rest of the Kings core have stepped up and will look to take advantage of a depleted Cavs unit.

As for the total, points are expected to be scored at a premium as oddsmakers set the total at 226.5 with bettors taking this to as low as 223 at some shops. This strongly hinges on the injury news for both teams as both Fox and Donovan Mitchell are dealing with injuries. With both teams relying on their scoring production of their star guards to get the offense in motion, may both be in for different identities this time around.

Sacramento Kings vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction

The Pick: Under 224

With both teams dealing with potential opt outs due to injuries, I will take the under as this steams down even lower towards tip off. Even while playing with his injury, De’Aaron Fox’s offensive production has dipped hard and limited the team’s scoring potential. 

In his absence should Fox not be able to give it a go tonight, Malik Monk will be asked to pick up the slack who has also struggled as of late. Without Fox, the Kings lose a major offensive factor with the lack of facilitating. This turns the offense into a slog, allowing opposing defenses to double and smother their limited weapons at the perimeter who shoot threes at a high rate.

Pace of play will also take a dip, as Fox’s ability to burst down the court and fly to the rim or hit the open man in transition is unmatched. With Malik Monk and Davion Mitchell running point, they will settle for more half court sets and let Sabonis run the offense through the middle.

As for the Cavs, they are also dealing with injury concerns themselves as star point guard Donovan Mitchell is also dealing with a nagging injury while Kevin Love has already been ruled out. Should Mitchell not be able to give it a go, the Cavs suffer from a lack of quality depth and will be prone to lulls throughout the game.

Betting Trends

• Under is 5-1 in Kings last 6 road games against a team with a winning record
• Under is 6-0 in last 6 Cavs games

Key Matchups

Without Donovan Mitchell and Kevin Love, where will the Cavs scoring production come from?

Cavs secondary scoring vs Kings defense

Without Mitchell running the show and limiting guard play, we may be in for a treat should the Cavs bring back an old school style of play with their bigs running the show. They have a clear advantage in the paint with Jarrett Allen back and Evan Mobley growing into an exciting young core piece.

While the Kings are young and exciting with valuable pieces all over, they suffer from very poor post defensive production with only Sabonis being able to cover down low at a league average rate. This bodes well for our under as the Cavs may take threes at a less rate, an area they excel in, to pad a lead with slow chunks at a time with their advantage down low. 

Verdict

With Fox and Mitchell potentially being ruled out, take the under in what will dramatically shift the offensive identities of each team to a slower scoring pace.

Sacramento Kings Starting Lineup

PG: De’Aaron Fox
SG: Kevin Huerter
SF: Harrison Barnes
PF: Keegan Murray
C: Domantas Sabonis

Cleveland Cavaliers Starting Lineups

PG: Darius Garland
SG: Donovan Mitchell
SF: Lamar Stevens
PF: Evan Mobley
C: Jarrett Allen

Key Injuries

Sacramento Kings Injuries: Terence Davis (Q), De’Aaron Fox (Q)

Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries: Donovan Mitchell (Q), Kevin Love (O)