The Sacramento Kings (16-24) travel to Ball Arena to take on the Denver Nuggets (18-18). Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Kings vs. Nuggets odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
One of the best teams in the Western Conference last season, the Nuggets haven’t lived up to expectations but have been without PG Jamal Murray (knee) all year. They’ve been unprofitable to bet on with a 15-21 ATS record, the fifth-worst in the NBA.
Led by MVP center Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets have lost two straight. Denver has a negative net rating (19th overall) indicating they’re slightly worse than their .500 record shows.
As for the Kings, they’ve been equally as disappointing, also one of the worst ATS teams in the league with a 17-23 record. Sacramento is 3-3 in its last 6 games. The Kings rank 24th in net rating.
Kings at Nuggets odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:20 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Kings +290 (bet $100 to win $290) | Nuggets -380 (bet $380 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Kings +7.5 (-105) | Nuggets -7.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 225.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Kings at Nuggets key injuries
Kings
- C Richaun Holmes (health and safety protocols) out
Nuggets
- F Michael Porter Jr. (spine) out
- F Jeff Green (health and safety protocols) questionable
- F Aaron Gordon (non-covid illness) probable
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Kings at Nuggets odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Nuggets 114, Kings 108
Money line
PASS on the money line.
There’s only value in the Kings at +290, but with a 6-11 road record, I’d rather take the points. For Denver, even if you like them in this position, betting a -380 NBA regular-season favorite is never a smart play.
Against the spread
“LEAN” to the KINGS +7.5 (-105).
Having one of the worst covering teams at more than a 7-point favorite against a solid Kings side seems odd. The Nuggets are down 2 of their best 3 players, part of why they’re just .500.
With Gordon also not at 100%, the Nuggets may struggle to get help around Jokic.
The Kings enter as the healthier team. While they don’t defend well, one of their best areas on that side of the court is defending the three. They do that at the 15th-best rate.
The Nuggets shoot the 14th-most threes, and that increases to the 10th-most triples while at home. If Sacramento can limit that area for Denver, they should be able to hold this game close.
Over/Under
BET on the UNDER 225.5 (-107).
This is also the side getting the juice. The Nuggets have the 25th-ranked pace in the NBA. While the Kings are higher, they’re still outside the top five at No. 9.
The Kings have the 4th-worst defensive rating, so Denver should get its way, especially with Holmes out. However, the pace they play through Jokic isn’t a quick one, which should limit the scoring.
Similarly, the Kings do have 7-foot Alex Len at center along with several quick defensive-minded guards. He could have an impact on Jokic.
That said, both teams are .500 on the O/U this season with the Kings at 20-20 and the Nuggets at 18-18.
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