The Golden State Warriors go into their NBA play-in match away to the Sacramento Kings as favorites, with an impressive away record at their back.
The Kings are missing two key players in Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk, and this could be the deciding the factor. The last three matches between the pair have all been one-pointers with the Kings 2-1 in those epic matchups, in January and two in November last year.
The spread is Golden State -3, but there is a good chance to the Warriors go above that.
The over/under is 224 points and it is likely to be an under but against the spread.
The Kings have hit the game total Under in 16 of their last 20 games.
The Warriors have more firepower and in Steph Curry the possess a genuine match winner, while Jonathan Kuminga is a direct threat downhill, averaging 16.1 points.
All the Kings hopes will be on one man, De’Aaron Fox, who is averaging a game-high 26.6 points, dropping 30+ pointers in two of his last four games.
There are no easy games in the playoffs, but Golden State should have this one covered.
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Breakdown: A Tale of Two Teams
Team Kings Warriors Record 46-36 46-36 O/U Record 10-19-1 40-41-1 Spread Record 42-40 42-38-2 Injuries Kevin Huerter, Malik Monk Gary Payton II Key players to watch Domantas Sabonis Steph Curry - Time: 10 PM ET
- Venue: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento
- Live Stream: TNT, TNT app
The head-to-head record between the two teams over the past six years favors the Warriors 19-12 and amazingly the last three matches between the pair have been wins by one-point margins. the Kings beat the warriors 134-133 in January, and 124-123 in November last year, preceded by a 1020101 win on November 2 last year.
The reason why the warriors will probably win well is that the Kings will be missing two of their stars in Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk.
Monk was averaging 15.4 points per game and 5.1 assists, while Huerter averaged 10.2 points and 3.5 rebounds.
Damontas Sabonis has been rock solid for the Kings averaging an impressive 13.7 rebounds, 19.4 points and 8.2 assist while for the Warriors, Stephen Curry averages 26.4 points. The match-up between the pair will be key as Curry drains three-pointers and Sabonis will clean up the misses for the Kings.
Our Picks:
Kings vs Warriors – Warriors start as favorites against the Kings
The Golden State Warriors open the game as -143 favorites while the Kings can be had at +121.
The Warriors are 25-16 on the road this season and with a .610 record it is understandable they go into this encounter as suggested winners.
Golden State have a 5-2 record against teams with winning records this season and are 8-2 as a favorite in the past ten games. They are 4-1 in their last five going in as top dogs, and there is every chance Steph Curry will continue his finals play-off drive, with a win in this match-up.
What is more, the warriors have won their last 15 games on the road as favorites.
The Kings have a less impressive record and are 1-3 as the underdog over the past four matches, and 5-5 in the past ten encounters.
The Sacramento team have been iffy at home with a 3-2 record in their last five home games.
Kings ATS: The Kings are 18-23 against the spread at home this season. They are 16-4 against the spread at home this season. All this points to a large win for the Warriors.
Warriors ATS: The Warriors have bucked the trend and are 12-6 against the spread in their last 18 games on the road, so expect another ATS win.
Pick 1: Kings Prop – Over/Under – Under -3
The Kings have hit the game total Under in 16 of their last 20 games. At -3 they will likely go Under again.
Pick 2: Warriors Against the Spread
The Warriors have a two thirds success rate against the spread in their last 18 games and if Curry fires, they should win by nine points.
