The Sacramento Kings trading franchise cornerstone De’Aaron Fox may have been the market’s undercard this weekend, but it will have massive ramifications for Sacramento against the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight.
The returning pieces of that trade are not active yet, so the Kings will be shorthanded against Minnesota. That creates confidence in backing the home team, but it should also lead to a scoring deluge from a remaining Sacramento guard.
My Kings vs. Timberwolves predictions and NBA picks for Monday, February 3 trust DeMar DeRozan to do what he has always done: score.
Kings vs Timberwolves prediction
My best bet
DeMar DeRozan Over 23.5 points (+100 at bet365)
My analysis
DeMar DeRozan’s scoring fell off in the last week, not cracking 20 in any of his last four games, landing all between 17 and 19 points. Some of that may be attributable to the trade rumors around De’Aaron Fox, his want to get out of Sacramento first becoming public knowledge two games ago, undoubtedly known in the locker room for at least a day or two before that.
Before that lull, DeRozan had scored 24 or more points in five straight games and in seven of his last eight games. That alone could provide enough logic in this bet, particularly with bet365 bettering the odds to even money.
Fox played 36 minutes and took 17.8 shots per game in the last month. When Fox missed three games early in January, DeRozan took 4.5 shots more per game, 17.5 in 11 games in the last month with Fox and 22 attempts in the three games without him.
Tonight, that focus may be emphasized. DeRozan cannot be thrilled with Fox’s trade request or the eventual trade. This may sound harsh, but it is a clear fact that the DeRozan-Zach LaVine pairing never yielded worthwhile on-court results in Chicago. Rekindling it with Sacramento Kings is a questionable choice, at best.
For one night, though, DeRozan can do what he prefers. He can be the Kings’ offensive focus, likely initiating more possessions than usual with the roster’s sudden dearth of point guards.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have excellent perimeter defense, but it is also designed to encourage mid-range jumpers. DeRozan will gladly do so, particularly with the ball in his hands more after Sunday’s trade of Fox.
Kings vs Timberwolves same-game parlay
DeMar DeRozan Over 23.5 points
Kings Over 109.5 points
Timberwolves -5
Sacramento may be shorthanded, but Minnesota has a bad habit of seeing a diminished opponent and relaxing beforehand. The Timberwolves are more likely to ease up defensively than they are to lock in.
That could lead to a relative shootout, and betting on the Kings to both score 110 points and lose this game against the spread is such a counterintuitive bet that the same-game parlay payout jumps to +1400 from a mere +220 without the leg of Timberwolves -5.
It warrants noting that Sacramento has scored at least 110 points in 17 of its last 18 games, while also going just 2-7-1 against the spread since January 11.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Kings vs Timberwolves odds
Kings vs Timberwolves live odds
Kings vs Timberwolves opening odds
- Spread: Sacramento -4.5 | Minnesota +4.5
- Moneyline: Sacramento +160 | Minnesota -190
- Over/Under: Over 221.5 | Under 221.5
Odds courtesy of bet365.
Kings vs Timberwolves spread and Over/Under analysis
- This spread opened with the Timberwolves as 4.5-point favorites after the Fox trade, a number that ticked up to -5 on Monday morning in some part because Anthony Edwards was seen at the morning shootaround, a good sign he will play despite being questionable with illness.
- The spread peaked at -5.5 before settling at -5 early on Monday afternoon. It would not be too stunning to see it climb to -6 once Edwards is confirmed in and/or forward Naz Reid is deemed available despite a finger injury suffered Saturday night.
- The total opened at 221.5 and spent the night and Monday morning toggling between 221.5 and 220.
Kings vs Timberwolves trend
The Kings have gone just 1-5 against the spread in their last six games. Find more NBA betting trends for Kings vs. Timberwolves.
How to watch Kings vs Timberwolves
| Location | Target Center, Minneapolis, MN |
| Date | Monday, 2-3-2025 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBCS-California, FDSN |
Kings vs Timberwolves latest injuries
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