Venue: Golden 1 Center
Home: Sacramento Kings
Away: Charlotte Hornets
20.12.2022, @06:00 AM (+03:00 UTC)
NBA is on and it continues to present us with a bunch of exciting games. The Prediction scenario is also a part of the excitement but it can be excruciating at the same time as the scene tilts in a furious way with so many different variations coming into play. In this Regular Season game, the Sacramento Kings will take on the Charlotte Hornets in a cross-Conference affair.
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The Kings come into this game after defeating the Pistons 122:113 as De’Aaron Fox scooped up 24 points. They have won two in a row and during their five-game Eastern Conference road trip, they won three of their five games, which is a strong effort. Overall, they have won 16 and have lost 12, having a great season after struggling last season. They have not made the Playoffs for more than one and a half decades, but this time around the prospects look alluring.
The Kings have constantly breached the 120 points mark repeatedly this season and after a brief cold spell, De’Aaron Fox has picked it up again. Domantas Sabonis has been highly consistent and has scored 20+ six times in eight games while grabbing 10 or more rebounds in seven straight games. Although his numbers are waning, Harrison Barnes remains a strong option, meanwhile, Malik Monk is averaging close to 15 points a game off-the-bench. Overall, the Kings are packed with options and just slight adjustments to defense can help them sustain the rhythm.
Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets come into this game after a fighting 115:119 loss against the Nuggets as LaMelo Ball pumped in 31 points. This was Hornets’ eighth straight loss and as a result, they have now been reduced to 23 losses and seven wins. They have suffered their eight-game losing streak for the second straight season and at this rate, they will be heading to the lottery. The Hornets have struggled offensively and lost their way without Ball whereas their defense has been poor too.
The Hornets have a bunch of big-time scorers in Terry Rozier and Kelly Oubre alongside Ball but they are an iso-heavy team that can collapse as a unit but it is the defensive end which is the bigger problem. The Play-in tournament chances have taken a big hit and at this point, the Hornets’ fans may be preparing for the next season. Not having Miles Bridges, who was a sparkplug last season has hurt too. Let us see if LaMelo Ball keeps playing or is rested if the current woes extend.
Injuries
- Kings: Nothing to report thus far;
- Hornets: Dennis Smith Jr, Cody Martin, Mark Williams. Game-Time Decision: Terry Rozier.
Player Props Predictions
- Expected Leading Scorers: De’Aaron Fox(26-32 Points), LaMelo Ball(25-30 Points), Domantas Sabonis(20-26 Points);
- Expected Leading Rebounders: Domantas Sabonis(12-15 Rebounds), Mason Plumlee(8-11 Rebounds);
- Expected Leading Playmakers: De’Aaron Fox(7-9 Assists), LaMelo Ball(7-9 Assists).
Expert Betting Tips
The Kings will be looking to resume their winning ways after a long road trip long way away from home and although they have some holes in their defense, their offense is a gift that keeps giving away. The Hornets aren’t a team that can be banked upon and they will be playing the second game on the second night which will only make matters worse for them. This is why I’d back the Kings to win this one. I predict a scoreline of 125:110 in the favor of the Kings.