For the first time in his NBA career, Nikola Jokic will not be coached by Mike Malone tonight. The Denver Nuggets’ shocking decisions this week have undoubtedly thrown some chaos into the locker room. But is that reason enough to doubt the road favorites against the Sacramento Kings tonight?
My Nuggets vs. Kings predictions and NBA picks see Domantas Sabonis slowing Jokic, even if just by a bit, at tip at 10 ET on Wednesday, April 9.
Nuggets vs Kings prediction
My best bet: Nikola Jokic Under 31.5 points (-120 at bet365)
My analysis
Let’s not pretend to be psychologists. None of us really know how the Denver Nuggets are reacting to the shocking firing of Malone and general manager Calvin Booth. Perhaps the locker room has doubled down on focus amid the chaos. Perhaps it has divided amid plenty of rumors of discord between some players. We don’t know.
One thing we do know is Nikola Jokic has put together one of the best offensive seasons we have ever seen. Even despite an ankle worry of late, Jokic has averaged 37.6 points in his last nine games, clearing this points prop in his last three and in seven of his last nine games.
Whatever got Malone fired, it was not Jokic’s performance. And if we know anything about Jokic, it is that he will not let any nonsense interfere with his workmanlike approach.
But Domantas Sabonis tends to interfere with Jokic. The Lithuanian is not known for his defense, but he is deceptively strong, and that is the most needed trait in combating Jokic. Players who have the lower-body strength to absorb some of Jokic’s 280-plus pounds fare a slight bit better against the best player in the world.
No one fares well against him, but it is not a coincidence that Jokic has scored 23 or fewer points in five of his last six games against the Sacramento Kings and Sabonis, shooting 49.5% in those six games (49-of-99). Do not be wowed by that shooting percentage. It is far below Jokic’s usual, hitting 58.3% of his shots last year and 57.7% this season.
Doubting Nikola Jokic is never fun. He may play furiously tonight after losing his only coach. But if there is one team to trust against Jokic, it may be the Kings.
Nuggets vs Kings same-game parlay
Nikola Jokic Under 31.5 points
Nikola Jokic Over 12.5 rebounds
Kings +4.5
While Jokic has struggled to score against Sabonis, he has crashed the glass, clearing this prop in their last four meetings and averaging 16.25 rebounds in those games. He finds a way to impact the game even when struggling.
Doubting Denver to cover this spread is based on its recent tailspin, going 1-6 against the spread in their last seven games.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Nuggets vs Kings odds
Nuggets vs Kings live odds
Nuggets vs Kings opening odds
- Spread: Denver -1.5 | Sacramento +1.5
- Moneyline: Denver -130 | Sacramento +110
- Over/Under: Over 233 | Under 233
Odds courtesy of bet365
Nuggets vs Kings spread and Over/Under analysis
- Denver opened as a mere 1.5-point favorite on Tuesday evening, climbing to -3 by the end of the night and -3.5 by Wednesday morning.
- The spread climbed to -4.5 in the afternoon.
- The total opened at 233 and climbed as high as 235.5 before settling at 234.5.
Nuggets vs Kings trend
Denver has not simply fallen in the standings lately. The Nuggets have been outright upset five of the last seven times they were favored in a game, prevailing against only the tanking Jazz and the shorthanded Bucks. Find more NBA betting trends for Nuggets vs. Kings.
How to watch Nuggets vs Kings
| Location | Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA |
| Date | Wednesday, 4-9-2025 |
| Tip-off | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
Nuggets vs Kings latest injuries
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