After an impressive win over the Phoenix Suns to begin the weekend, the Los Angeles Lakers will play their first back-to-back of the season when they host the Sacramento Kings, a team that struggled a season ago and will be searching for their first win after shaking off the rust against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
With the Lakers expected to have their full team available, you’d certainly have to favor them here, but my Kings vs. Lakers predictions reflect a large amount of skepticism that L.A. can remain a perfect 3-0.
Without further ado, let’s get into my NBA picks for Saturday, October 26.
Kings vs Lakers prediction
My best bet
Kings moneyline (-104 at FanDuel)
My analysis
LeBron James pledged after Friday’s win that he plans to play every game for the Los Angeles Lakers this season, and while he’s had a long track record of embellishing, it would seem that the team’s third game would be a questionable time for him to go back on his word.
Assuming the Lakers are set to have their full squad as expected, we can safely dig into what the trends are telling us.
They’ve indeed started the year off in grand fashion, ranking fifth in offensive efficiency through two games against two solid defenses, but two things that stand out are their poor marks both shooting and defending the 3-pointer.
These were two pain points for the Lakers last season as they leaned heavily upon their interior options to win games. Unfortunately, they’ll encounter a Sacramento Kings team that finished third in 3-point frequency a year ago. The Kings will attempt to exploit L.A., which has allowed nearly 40% shooting from deep through two games.
The Kings may have had a bad preseason, but they turned things around in a huge way in a close two-point loss to the Timberwolves on Thursday. They shot a solid 37.9% from outside, and even Domantas Sabonis was able to operate effectively in the post with 24 points against the most feared frontcourt defense in the NBA.
These are good signs, and if not for Minnesota's stunning 20-for-50 from deep, the Kings would have taken that one. Against a much weaker perimeter defense, 3-point attempts should continue to fall, and that was the case last year when the Kings went a perfect 4-0 against the Lakers.
Like the Timberwolves, the Lakers gave up a ton of looks from the mid-range a season ago, ranking 20th in the NBA and 24th in 3-point attempts allowed. This should help DeMar DeRozan continue integrating into this offense, and afford Sacramento the ability to win games the only way they know how.
The fact that Sabonis is coming off such a strong game against Gobert only asserts my belief further in Sacramento.
Kings vs Lakers same-game parlay (SGP)
Kings moneyline
Kevin Huerter 2+ made threes
LeBron James Over 6.5 rebounds
Kevin Huerter may have lost out to DeRozan and Malik Monk for playing time in Sacramento’s opener, seeing just 20 minutes of run, but I think things should turn around here in a much different matchup.
Minnesota isn’t a team you can shoot on all that easily, but L.A. is a team you simply must shoot on to beat. Huerter capitalized last season, shooting a blistering 45% from deep in the three games he played against the Lakers, hitting nine of 18 attempts prior to a game where he played under 12 minutes as he dealt with injury.
Even in his 20 minutes on Thursday, Huerter launched three times, and given the soft matchup, I expect a good showing here.
I’m also eyeing James to go over his rebounding total for the first time this season after two quiet games in that category, considering the Kings remain a so-so rebounding team and allowed him to go over 10 rebounds per game in 2023-24 in this head-to-head. They were out-rebounded by the Timberwolves due in large part to Anthony Edwards and Naz Reid at the forward position, meaning the onus should be on James here to clean the glass.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Kings vs Lakers odds
Kings vs Lakers live odds
Get the latest Kings vs Lakers NBA odds.
Kings vs Lakers opening odds
- Spread: Sacramento +1 (-112) | Los Angeles -1 (-108)
- Moneyline: Sacramento -104 | Los Angeles -112
- Over/Under: Over 229.5 (-112) | Under 229.5 (-108)
Kings vs Lakers spread and Over/Under analysis
- After L.A. opened as a firm favorite, this game has steadily trickled down to a pick ’em with no movement in the other direction.
- DraftKings is reporting that while 61% of the bets are on the Lakers, 63% of the money is on Sacramento to cover.
- The total has also taken a steady dive, like the spread, beginning at 234.5 this morning and dropping all the way down under 230 points.
- The Over has accounted for 60% of the tickets but a slimmer 51% of the handle.
Kings vs Lakers trend
The Los Angeles Lakers have hit the 1H Moneyline in 33 of their last 51 games (+19.10 Units / 21% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Kings vs. Lakers.
Kings vs Lakers game info
| Location: | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA |
| Date: | Saturday, 10-26-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 10:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | NBA TV |
Kings vs Lakers latest injuries
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