Kings Star De’Aaron Fox Getting Closer to Returning from Injury
Cavaliers vs Kings Betting Tips: Sacramento Slight Home 'Dog
A light Monday schedule across the NBA will conclude with the Sacramento Kings hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers (10 p.m. ET).
With uncertainty surrounding the health of its best player, Sacramento is a 3-point underdog (-110) and +123 to win outright. Meanwhile, Cleveland is a -3 (-110) favorite on the spread and -143 on the moneyline. The projected total is 220.5 (-110 Over, -110 Under), the lowest of the four games on the slate.
Who has the edge? Read on as we break down both teams and deliver our Cavaliers vs Kings betting tips.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Sacramento Kings 
Day/Time:
Location: Golden 1 Center; Sacramento, Calif.
Streaming: NBA TV
Betting Trends
The Cleveland Cavaliers are 3-6 against the spread this season and 3-9 dating to last year. Cleveland’s also covered in just two of its last 11 games against Sacramento. The total has gone Under in 11 of Cleveland’s last 16 games. Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings are 4-4 ATS. The Kings are only 5-10 ATS in their previous 15 home games. That’s important to remember when assessing the Cavaliers vs Kings betting tips.
Getting Back to Full Strength
The Cleveland Cavaliers are 4-5 but coming off a 118-110 victory over the Golden State Warriors, their second in as many tries this season. The Cavaliers covered the spread as a 4.5-point underdog in Saturday’s win, largely thanks to a team-high 22 points from Caris LeVert. Donovan Mitchell contributed 21 points, and Darius Garland and Evan Mobley finished with 19 points apiece.
Projected for 51.5 wins, third most in the Eastern Conference, Cleveland has reasonably high expectations. Although its start has been up and down, bettors have no reason to fret. The Cavaliers have a star-studded roster headlined by Mitchell.
Garland and center Jarrett Allen both dealt with hamstring injuries but are healthy again. That should lighten some of the load on Mitchell, who’s averaging a robust 29.5 points through eight games. Overall, Cleveland ranks bottom 10 in the NBA in scoring (109.7 PPG). Keep that in mind when analyzing the Cavaliers vs Kings betting tips.
While Milwaukee remains one of the favorites in the Eastern Conference NBA standings, the Bucks’ slow start (5-4) has opened the door for Cleveland to contend in the Central Division. Cleveland’s odds of winning the division have increased to +200. Nobody else besides Milwaukee is better than 16/1. Cleveland is also +1200 to win the East.
Fox Close to Returning
The Sacramento Kings have won two straight to improve to 4-4. They’re coming off a 105-98 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, in which they were a 1.5-point underdog.
On the heels of a breakthrough 2022-23 season, which culminated with their first playoff appearance since 2006, the Kings are dealing with heightened expectations. They’re projected for 44.5 wins, tied for the seventh most in the Western Conference.
De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento’s leading scorer, has been limited to only three games with an ankle injury. However, the All-Star appears to be trending in the right direction. Fox participated fully in Sunday’s practice, though he’s still listed as doubtful to return against Cleveland. If he’s unable to go, Davion Mitchell will remain the starting point guard.
In the three games he’s played, Fox is averaging 31.3 points, 6.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds. That includes a 37-point performance in a 132-127 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 29. Fox has a standout wingman in center Domantas Sabonis, who’s averaging 17.4 points, 12.9 rebounds (second in NBA behind Denver’s Nikola Jokic) and 7.0 assists.
While oddsmakers have deemed the Kings the biggest longshot in the Pacific Division, they’re still priced just +650 per NBA odds.
Handicapping the Game
Last year’s resurgence was no mirage. Sacramento is a clear contender in the West. Sometimes, all it takes to make the next step is a star duo, and the Kings certainly have that in Fox and Sabonis. With both still under the age of 28, the best is seemingly yet to come.
If Fox is back (and healthy), Sacramento should be able to hold its own at home. Heck, even if he isn’t, the Kings have enough scorers to keep pace with Cleveland. While they didn’t invest much in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Kings have serviceable depth, thanks to Malik Monk and Keegan Murray.
Look for Sacramento to keep this close and maybe even win.
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