Kings and Warriors Jockey for Position in NBA In-Season Tourney
Golden State Warriors at Sacramento Kings: Close to a Pick 'Em
The Golden State Warriors visit the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday (10 p.m. ET) in the latest chapter of the NBA in-season tournament. This is already the third meeting between the teams this season since last year’s seven-game NBA playoff thriller.
After ending its two-game losing skid late last week, the Kings are 9-6 and among the favorites to win the in-season tournament at +650. Meanwhile, oddsmakers aren’t quite as optimistic about the 8-9 Warriors, who are priced at +1600.
Tuesday’s rematch will go a long way toward determining the fates of both teams. Sacramento is up to 1.5-point favorite (-110) after opening at -1, while Golden State is +1.5 (-110) on the NBA line. The Kings are also -130 on the moneyline, with the Warriors at +110. The projected total is 235.5 (-110 Over, -110 Under).
For more analysis on this matchup, let’s break down the Golden State Warriors at Sacramento Kings betting odds.
Warriors vs Kings 
Day/Time:
Location: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, Calif.
Streaming: TNT
Betting Trends
The Golden State Warriors have lost their last five games against the spread and are 6-11 overall. The total has gone Over in four of the Warriors’ last five games. Conversely, the Sacramento Kings are 9-6 ATS, including 6-2 in their last eight games. The total has gone Under in four of the Kings’ last six games. It’s also gone Under in four of the last five games between these NBA teams. That’s important to remember when assessing the Golden State Warriors at Sacramento Kings betting odds.
Injuries Hit Hard for Kings
The Sacramento Kings conclude group play in West Group C, needing a win to advance to the knockout stage of the NBA in-season tournament. Sacramento is currently 3-0 in the tournament and 9-6 overall, leaving it sixth in the Western Conference to begin the week.
Friday, the Kings snapped their two-game losing skid with a 124-111 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. A 4.5-point underdog, Sacramento got a game-high 36 points and 12 assists from guard De’Aaron Fox to cover the spread for the first time in four games. In the process, the Kings improved to 6-4 ATS away from home.
The Kings played their second straight game without forward Keegan Murray because of back soreness. Murray is third on the team in scoring, averaging 13.2 points to go with 6.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals. He’s listed as questionable on today’s NBA injury report.
Murray’s injury is the latest string of bad fortune for the Kings. In addition to Murray, Keon Ellis (ankle sprain), Alex Len (ankle sprain), Chris Duarte (thumb), Kevin Huerter (finger), Trey Lyles (calf) and Sasha Vezenkov (thumb) all missed time on the last road trip due to injuries. Fox, who’s averaging a team-high 29.9 points, missed five games with a sprained ankle earlier this month. Keep that in mind when analyzing the Golden State Warriors at Sacramento Kings betting odds.
Draymond’s Return on the Horizon
A prime opportunity awaits the Golden State Warriors, who can win West Group C with a victory over the Kings and a Minnesota loss. It can also do so via a tiebreaker if the Timberwolves win.
The Warriors are just 8-9 overall but 2-1 during in-season tournament play. They’re coming off a 118-112 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday. Stephen Curry hit seven 3-pointers and poured in a game-high 35 points, giving him eight 30-point games this season.
Golden State has been one of the least profitable teams for bettors this season, with a 6-11 record ATS. It’s failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight games, including against San Antonio as a 10-point favorite.
Draymond Green can return for Golden State after missing five games due to a suspension. The Warriors went 2-3 in Green’s absence to fall to 10th place in the Western Conference. In nine games this season, Green, a four-time All-Star and former NBA Defensive Player of the Year, is averaging 8.8 points, 5.7 assists and 5.1 rebounds. He will likely slide right back into the starting lineup upon his return.
Handicapping the Game
Golden State has already beaten Sacramento twice this NBA season: 122-114 on Oct. 27 and 102-101 on Nov. 1. Curry paced the Warriors offensively in both contests, averaging 31 points. His presence looms large again, especially with West Group C up for grabs.
Fox, the NBA’s fifth-leading scorer, didn’t play in the teams’ most recent NBA matchup. While Sacramento remains vulnerable because of its lackluster defense, Fox’s presence makes the Kings dangerous against almost anyone. They’ve been solid at home, with a record of 4-1. That lone loss came against — yep, you guessed it — Golden State. Oddly, the Warriors have been better on the road (5-3) than at home (3-6).
This is essentially a pick ’em, and with Fox healthy again, Sacramento seems better positioned to take care of business in its own digs.
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