Two teams trying to shake off the stink in their previous performance battle in Sacramento, as the Kings host the Phoenix Suns.
SacTown is still peeling themselves off the home floor after getting crushed by the Celtics, yet still stand as 3.5-point favorites in the NBA odds.
The Suns, meanwhile, were busy blowing a 22-point lead in a loss to Portland, one of the worst teams in the West. That was not a good L to take considering Phoenix is hanging onto the 10th and final play-in spot in the conference.
In the ultra-competitive West, where 5.5 games separate 11th from second, which team gets a leg-up on Friday? Read below for my Suns vs. Kings free NBA picks for Friday, December 22.
Suns vs Kings odds
Suns vs Kings predictions
For the most part, the Phoenix Suns did a really good job piecing together a roster around the mega contracts of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. One thing they have yet to find, however, is anyone in their lineup that can keep smaller guards in check.
In their 109-104 loss to Portland, Anfernee Simons was the Trail Blazers’ leading scorer with 23 points. On Dec. 15, Phoenix was buried under a Jalen Brunson 50-burger, losing 139-122. In a 116-112 loss to Brooklyn on Dec. 13, Cam Thomas was the Nets’ leading scorer with 24 points, the same leading figure for Steph Curry the night before in a Suns 119-116 win.
The game before that, Dec. 8, was the first matchup between the Suns and the Sacramento Kings, and leads us to the De’Aaron Fox odds.
The lightning-fast Fox was a wrecking ball, finishing with 34 points, four rebounds and seven assists in a 114-106 W. Fox is enjoying the best year of his career, averaging 30.1 points per game, the sixth-best mark in the league, while shooting a career-best 40% from three-point range. He’s also getting to the stripe eight times a game, another personal best midway through season seven.
Even when getting drilled in a 144-119 demolition against the Celtics last game, Fox still put up 29.
He has been all around this 29.5 point total all of December, scoring at least 29 in six of eight games, and breaking the 30-point plateau four times. Fox should be a matchup nightmare for anyone on the Suns, and Booker may have to take the challenge, especially late in the game if it’s close. Still, that’s advantage Fox.
My best bet: De’Aaron Fox Over 29.5 points (-125 at DraftKings)
Suns vs Kings same-game parlay
De’Aaron Fox Over 29.5 points
De’Aaron Fox Under 6.5 assists
Kevin Durant Over 1.5 3s
No-sweat promo available
Let’s piece together a three-leg same-game parlay, and we’ll focus on Fox’s assist total.
He’s averaging 6.8 assists in the month of December, but that average has been boosted by a season-best 16-assist effort in a win over Denver. Take that game out, and he has averaged just 5.3 assists over the other nine games, hitting seven dimes four times. One of those games was against the Suns, but going back to last season, Fox had failed to eclipse seven assists in any of their four matchups.
He will be right around the number, but he’s going to have to be in attack mode and scoring frequently for SacTown to get a win, so I like the Under.
We’ll finish with Kevin Durant, who went for 40 in the ugly loss to Portland. No Bradley Beal again, and not until 2024, so the offensive load will fall to KD and Booker. But the books might have missed the mark on Durant’s 3-point shooting total.
Durant is shooting a remarkable 46.7% on just under five attempts per game this season, a number that would be his best 3-point shooting clip in his career. Perhaps it’s recency bias, as KD has hit just one triple on five total attempts across the last two games. But in the prior 14 games, Durant had at least two makes in a dozen contests, hitting at a robust 53.5% rate.
Sacramento also happens to offer the fifth-worst 3-point shooting percentage in basketball, as opponents hit shoot it at 38.6%. Jump on this prop and the juice for this SGP jumps to +550.
The best part about playing this SGP at DraftKings is their sweet 3+ leg no-sweat promotion going on right now. Just remember to opt in!
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Best NBA bonuses
All Users
No-sweat 3+ leg SGP every day
Bonus bets back if your wager doesn’t win! Claim Now
New Users
Get up to $1,500 bonus bets back
If your first bet doesn’t win! Claim Now
Eligible USA locations only. Also, see our full list of best sportsbook promotions for 2023.
21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Suns vs Kings spread and Over/Under analysis
The spread has yet to cross the 4-point threshold, with most books settling in at the 3.5-point range, but there are options right down to 1.5 points.
Sacramento is 14-12-0 against the spread this season, but they have not been a good bet in this head-to-head, going just 3-7-0 ATS.
Phoenix, meanwhile, has been a cover disaster, going 10-16-1 ATS. The Suns have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 10 games.
These teams can put up points, with the Kings eighth in scoring, and the Suns in the top half of the league. Not surprising, then, that the total has largely stayed at 245.5 points.
Both teams are successful on the Over. The Suns’ Over mark is 16-11-0, while the Kings have hit the Over in 15 of their 26 contests.
🕒Vermont: Sports betting is coming!🕒
Vermont sports betting will launch on January 11 — but you can pre-register now with FanDuel and DraftKings!
Check out the best Vermont sports betting apps (as more brands launch in the Green Mountain State), as well as the best Vermont sportsbook promos!
21+ and present in VT. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Suns vs Kings betting trend to know
Nine of the Kings' last 10 home games have hit the Over. Find more NBA betting trends for Suns vs. Kings.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Covers may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook or betting site.
Suns vs Kings game info
| Location: | Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA |
| Date: | Friday, December 22, 2023 |
| Tip-off: | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | AZ Family, NBCS-California |
Suns vs Kings latest injuries
Stay updated with the latest picks, odds, and news! Tap the 
to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.
