Mavericks vs Kings Prediction NBA Picks Today 4/5
- A Plus Picks
- Apr 5, 2023, 6:53:17 AM
© Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Game Preview: Sacramento Kings vs Dallas Mavericks
The Sacramento Kings are set to take on the Dallas Mavericks in what promises to be an exciting Western Conference matchup on April 5, 2023. The Kings (48-31, 25-14 away) have been on a hot streak lately, winning four of their last five games, while the Mavericks (37-42, 22-16 home) have had an up-and-down season, struggling to find consistency. Both teams boast some impressive talent on their rosters, with the Kings led by point guard De’Aaron Fox (25.2 PPG) and power forward Domantas Sabonis (12.4 RPG), while the Mavericks are anchored by superstar point guard Luka Doncic (32.8 PPG) and shooting guard Kevin Huerter (9.6 PPG). The Kings have been strong offensively this season, leading the league in points per game (121.4), but have struggled defensively, ranking 26th in points allowed (118.3). The Mavericks, on the other hand, have been solid on defense, giving up just 113.8 points per game (15th in the league), but have had some inconsistencies on offense, ranking just 16th in points per game (114.1). With so much on the line for both teams as they push for playoff contention, this promises to be an intense and highly competitive game. Who will come out on top? Stay tuned for our full-length prediction article.
Kings: Offensive Analysis
The Sacramento Kings are heading into their matchup with the Dallas Mavericks on April 5th, 2023 with a 48-31 record and a strong offensive game. As the top-ranked team in the league in terms of points per game, the Kings have been a force to be reckoned with on the offensive side of the ball. Led by point guard De'Aaron Fox, who averages 25.2 points per game, the Kings are one of the most dynamic scoring teams in the league. They average 121.4 points per game, which is the highest in the league, and have an effective field goal percentage of 57.6%, which is also the best in the league. The Kings are also adept at sharing the ball, averaging 27.2 assists per game, which is the fourth-best mark in the league. Their ball movement is key to their success, as their assists per field goal made ratio is 0.623, which is the seventh-best mark in the league. However, the Kings' defense has been less impressive, ranking 26th in the league in points allowed per game. This could pose problems for them against a Mavericks team that has a strong offensive game led by Luka Doncic, who averages 32.8 points per game. Despite their defensive shortcomings, the Kings are a team that relies heavily on their high-powered offense to carry them to victory. Their ability to score quickly and move the ball effectively will be key in their matchup against the Mavericks. If they can continue to execute on offense, they have a strong chance to come out on top in this game.
Kings: Defensive Analysis
The Sacramento Kings have had an up-and-down defensive season, ranking 26th in the league in opponent points per game at 118.3. However, they have shown the ability to lock down opponents at times, evidenced by their recent win over the Portland Trail Blazers where they held them to just 80 points. The key for the Kings will be their ability to contain Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic. Doncic is averaging 32.8 points per game and has been a problem for most defenses. The Kings will need to throw multiple defenders at Doncic and force other Mavericks players to beat them. One area where the Kings have excelled defensively is in limiting fast-break points, ranking 7th in the league with just 15.1 per game allowed. They will need to continue this trend against the Mavericks, who have struggled in transition with just 10.8 fast-break points per game. Defending the paint has been a struggle for the Kings this season, ranking 27th in opponents' points in the paint per game at 53.8. They will need to tighten up their interior defense against a Mavericks team that ranks 18th in points in the paint per game at 50.8. Overall, the Kings will need to bring their best defensive effort to contain Doncic and limit the Mavericks' scoring opportunities. If they can execute their defensive game plan, they could earn a crucial victory in the playoff race.
Mavericks: Offense Analysis
The Dallas Mavericks will face off against the Sacramento Kings on April 5, 2023, at the American Airlines Center. Examining the Mavericks' offensive stats, they rank 16th in points scored per game, with an average of 114.1, which puts them at a disadvantage against the Kings, who currently hold the #1 spot in this category. While the Mavericks have a positive average score margin at +0.3, it is not high enough to assure them of a win against the 48-31 Kings. Dallas is struggling with fastbreak points, ranking at #29 with only 10.8 points per game, while the Kings are ranked #7 with 15.1 points per game. Additionally, the Mavericks need to improve their scoring abilities in the paint, as they are ranked last in the league in this category, while the Kings are ranked #18 with 50.8 points per game. On a positive note, the Mavericks have an impressive effective field goal percentage of 56.6%, making them the 5th best in the league. Their two-point shooting percentage ranks 2nd in the league with 57.5%, showing they can score effectively from inside the perimeter. However, their three-point shooting needs improvement, coming in at #9 with 37.1%. Overall, the Mavericks' offense needs to improve in various categories to ensure a win against the Kings. They struggle with fastbreak points and scoring in the paint, while their three-point shooting needs to be more efficient. However, their high effective field goal percentage and impressive two-point shooting percentage show that they have the potential to turn the game around.
Mavericks: Defensive Analysis
The Mavericks will need a strong defensive effort to defeat the Kings in their upcoming game. The Kings have a potent offense, averaging a league-leading 121.4 points per game, and are ranked first in effective field goal percentage (57.6%). However, the Mavericks' defense has been solid this season, allowing an average of 113.8 points per game and ranking in the top half of the league in multiple defensive categories. One area of concern for the Mavericks is their rebounding, as they rank last in the league in total rebounds per game (47.4) and 28th in defensive rebounds per game (31.0). They will have to match the Kings' physicality on the boards to prevent second chance opportunities. The Mavericks also struggle with defending the three-point line, allowing opponents to shoot 37.1% from beyond the arc, while the Kings shoot 37.2% from three. They will need to close out on shooters and limit the Kings' perimeter scoring to have success on the defensive end. On the bright side, the Mavericks have a solid shot-blocking presence in Dwight Powell and can rely on him to alter shots at the rim. They also have a strong steals game, ranking third in the league with 6.4 steals per game. In conclusion, the Mavericks have some defensive weaknesses to address, but they have the potential to limit the Kings' high-powered offense with their shot-blocking and steals game. Rebounding and defending the perimeter will be the keys to the Mavericks' defensive success in this game.
Injury Report
The Sacramento Kings will be without point guard Matthew Dellavedova, who has been out since March 31st due to a knee injury. On the other hand, the Dallas Mavericks could potentially be without two of their key players in Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, both of whom are listed as doubtful for the upcoming game. Irving has been struggling with ankle soreness, while Doncic has a minor hamstring strain that has kept him out of the past few games. If they do sit out, it could be a big blow to the Mavericks' offense, as both players have been key contributors throughout the season. Overall, the injury report seems to slightly favor the Kings, who have a relatively healthy roster heading into the game. However, if Irving and Doncic are able to suit up for the Mavericks, it could make for an interesting matchup between two talented teams.
| Player | Team | Position | Injury Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Dellavedova | Sacramento Kings | PG | Out |
| Kyrie Irving | Dallas Mavericks | PG | Doubtful |
| Luka Doncic | Dallas Mavericks | PG | Doubtful |
Betting Trends
The Kings come into this game with a record of 48-31 and are 25-14 on the road. They have been a solid betting team this season with a record of 43-34-1 against the spread. The Kings have been on fire recently, winning their last four games, and have covered the spread in three of those games. The Mavericks are 37-42 on the season and are 22-16 at home. They have struggled against the spread this season with a record of 30-46-3. The Mavericks have lost their last two games and have failed to cover the spread in both of those games. In terms of the over/under, the Kings have gone over the total in three of their last four games, while the Mavericks have gone over in their last two games. Overall, the betting trends favor the Kings in this matchup. They have been a strong team against the spread this season and have been playing well recently. The Mavericks, on the other hand, have struggled against the spread and have lost their last two games. The over may also be worth considering as both teams have been scoring well lately.
Prediction:
Sacramento will be playing their second game of a back-to-back, with both games on the road, which could potentially impact their performance. While the Kings have already secured their playoff spot, it's likely they have the third seed locked up, so there may be less urgency for them to win this game.
On the other hand, the Mavericks are playing for their playoff lives and need every win they can get to secure the coveted 10th seed in the Western Conference. There is a chance that Doncic and Irving could be shut down for the remainder of the season, but until that happens, it's wise not to assume anything. Irving has had success against Sacramento this season, scoring 25 and 28 points in their two matchups.
In terms of the current situation, Dallas is in a better spot to win this game. They are playing at home, which gives them an advantage, and they have no major injuries to their core players. They will be able to go deep into their bench while remaining competitive, which is a significant advantage when playing a team on the second night of a back-to-back.
Based on these factors, I believe that Dallas is the smart play here. While Sacramento has a talented team and could certainly win, the odds are in favor of Dallas, especially considering the circumstances. The Mavericks are playing for their playoff lives, while the Kings may not be as motivated to win this game. Ultimately, it will come down to execution on the court, but the Mavericks have a slight edge going into this matchup.
Pick: Mavericks -5
