NBA Predictions: New Orleans Pelicans vs Sacramento Kings Picks and Odds on December 12

The New Orleans Pelicans look to regain its winning momentum while the Sacramento Kings gun for their third straight win as they collide this Thursday at the Smoothie King Center.

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Losers of 11 of their last 12, the Pelicans head into this matchup looking to bounce back after dropping a 121-116 decision to the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday while the Kings are fresh off a 44-point victory over the Utah Jazz.

• This will be the first of four matchups between New Orleans and Sacramento with both teams slated to face three times in February of next year.
• Early New Orleans Pelicans vs Sacramento Kings odds have De’Aaron Fox and the Kings as the moderate five-point favorite in this exciting Western Conference matchup.
• However, the Pelicans have been surprisingly decent as far as covering the spread is concerned, having done so six times in their 12 home games this season.

Will the home crowd propel the Pelicans to another home victory or will the Kings keep their hot streak alive?

Keep scrolling as we go in-depth at the current form of both teams in this comprehensive New Orleans Pelicans vs Sacramento Kings sports predictions article.

New Orleans Pelicans vs Sacramento Kings DraftKings NBA Odds for December 12

Moneyline

• New Orleans Pelicans: +185
• Sacramento Kings: -225

Spread

• New Orleans Pelicans: +5 (-105)
• Sacramento Kings: -5 (-115)

Over/Under (Total)

• OVER 230.5 (-110)
• UNDER 230.5 (-110)

New Orleans Pelicans vs Sacramento Kings Injury Report

New Orleans Pelicans Injury Report

1. Javonte Green – Ankle – Day-to-Day
2. Karlo Matkovic – Back – Day-to-Day
3. Daniel Theis – Neck – Out
4. Brandon Ingram – Ankle – Out
5. Jose Alvarado – Hamstring – Out
6. Jordan Hawkins – Spine – Out
7. Zion Williamson – Hamstring – Out

Sacramento Kings Injury Report

1. Isaac Jones – Illness – Gametime Decision
2. Trey Lyles – Calf – Out

Best NBA odds for New Orleans Pelicans vs Sacramento Kings

• The New Orleans Pelicans have covered the spread six times in 12 home games this season. The best New Orleans Pelicans odds for the home team to cover the spread are available on DraftKings at -105.
• The Sacramento Kings have beaten teams by double digits during their current win streak. Bet365 offers the best odds for the Kings to cover the spread at -105.
• A low-scoring affair is usually on the cards when the New Orleans Pelicans and the Sacramento Kings face off. The best New Orleans Pelicans vs Sacramento Kings odds for the under are available on DraftKings at -110.

Why will the New Orleans Pelicans cover the spread?

The injury bug hit the New Orleans Pelicans this season and it hit them hard as they lost their leading scorers Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson.

• Williamson and Ingram average a combined 44.9 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 10.5 assists for the Pelicans this season.

With Williamson and Ingram out of commission, the Pelicans have found themselves struggling to record a win this season, having only won twice in the past 19 games.

New Orleans had a chance to return to the column last game when it led 116-114 versus the San Antonio Spurs with a minute to go but a 7-0 run by the latter doomed their hopes of doing such a thing as they dropped its second game in a row.

The Pelicans have another chance of returning to the win column next as they host the Sacramento Kings next and although they are the underdogs here, they might be able to do such a thing.

• For all the flak they have been getting this season, New Orleans are actually pretty decent in front of their adoring fans, beating the Phoenix Suns most recently and having covered the spread six times in 12 home games.
• Even more remarkable is the stinging Pelicans defense which was in full display against the Spurs where they recorded nine steals and eight blocks while forcing the latter to commit 18 turnovers.

Although their offense took a major hit with the injuries to Ingram and Williamson, the Pelicans still have enough scoring firepower in the form of CJ McCollum who is averaging 20.5 points and Trey Murphy III who is fresh off a 25-point output versus the Spurs.

Should New Orleans continue to impose that kind of defense against the Kings and get massive offensive contributions from McCollum, Murphy III, and even Dejounte Murray, backing them to cover the spread might be a good play here.

Why will the Sacramento Kings cover the spread?

After winning just once in seven games, the Sacramento Kings have seemingly regained their deadly form, having won three of their past four games with their most recent being a 141-97 demolition of the Utah Jazz.

The Kings hope to make it three in a row as they travel to New Orleans next to take on a struggling Pelicans team. From the looks of it, they might be able to do so with bookmakers having them as the moderate favorite in this matchup and rightfully so.

• Winners of three of their last four, Sacramento has beaten teams by an average margin of 26.7 points in their previous three victories.
• If that’s not good enough, the Kings are better than average away from home as far as covering the spread is concerned, having done so seven times in 13 road games this season.
• Guard DeAaron Fox has continued his ascent as one of the top players in the league averaging a career-high 26.6 points while explosive guard DeMar Derozan has seemingly settled in nicely in Sacramento, posting impressive numbers of 22.7 points and 4.1 rebounds in 19 games this season.

With the Pelicans struggling to buy a win and the Kings currently in top form, there could be value towards backing the road team to cover the spread and win in style.

Final New Orleans Pelicans vs Sacramento Kings NBA Prediction: Sacramento Kings -5 (-115)

If Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson were healthy, then the New Orleans Pelicans should easily win this one considering their depth on both ends of the floor.

Unfortunately for the Pelicans, Ingram and Williamson are anything but healthy. With the Sacramento Kings flying and DeAaron Fox having a flying year, I am slightly confident in the road team to win convincingly here. Give me the Kings to cover the spread.