Pelicans vs Kings Prediction NBA Experts Picks Today 4/4

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Apr 4, 2023, 12:01:06 AM

Game Preview: Kings vs Pelicans - April 4, 2023

The Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans are set to face off in an exciting NBA matchup on April 4, 2023. As the Pelicans aim for their fourth straight home win, the Kings will be looking to continue their dominant run in the league. With the season well underway, NBA experts have provided their picks and predictions for this game. The Pelicans, currently eighth in the Western Conference, hold an impressive record of 40-38. They will enter this game as slight favorites with a -1.5 point spread. With Zion Williamson out due to a hamstring injury, the Pelicans will rely on their team's primary scorer, CJ McCollum, averaging 20.8 points and 5.8 assists per game. Meanwhile, the Kings have been dominating the Western Conference with their record of 47-31, currently third in the conference. The team has been averaging an outstanding 121.4 points per game while maintaining a shooting percentage of 49.7%. The Kings have won the two previous matchups against the Pelicans this season and will be looking to secure their third win. Domantas Sabonis has been outstanding for the Kings, scoring 19.2 points per game and averaging 12.4 rebounds. In terms of recent form, the Pelicans have won seven of their last ten games while averaging 116.4 points per game. On the other hand, the Kings have won six of their last ten games, accessing an average of 122.5 points per game. The Sacramento Kings hold a significant edge over the Pelicans in terms of offensive and defensive values, averaging 121.4 points per game and conceding an average of 118.3 points. However, with the Pelicans' home-court advantage, they will be looking to cause an upset and secure their fourth straight win. As the game approaches, NBA picks and parlays suggest a close game, with both teams putting on an intense, exciting display of basketball. NBA predictions today favor the Kings with their record and recent form, but the Pelicans will be fighting hard. Ultimately, it will come down to which team can execute their game plan better and come out on top.

Kings: Offensive Analysis

The Sacramento Kings have been a dominant offensive team in the Western Conference this season, ranking number one in points per game (121.4) and shooting percentage (49.7%). Their offense is led by Domantas Sabonis, who is averaging 19.2 points per game and 12.4 rebounds, and Keegan Murray, who has been averaging 3.6 made 3-pointers per game over the last 10 games. In terms of their performance over the last 10 games, the Kings have been averaging 122.5 points, 44.6 rebounds, 27.6 assists, 6.7 steals, and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 48.5% from the field. They have been solid on both ends of the floor, with an average score margin of +3.1. While the Kings may seem like a safe bet for NBA picks and predictions, they will have their work cut out for them against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans have been on a three-game home win streak and are looking to keep up the momentum. The key to Sacramento's success will be to continue their dominant offensive performance while also tightening up their defense, as they currently rank 26th in opponent points per game (118.3). If they can maintain their offensive prowess and improve their defensive efforts, the Kings will be a tough team to beat.

Kings: Defensive Analysis

The Sacramento Kings will be facing the New Orleans Pelicans on April 4, 2023, and the Kings will need to bring their A-game defensively if they want to secure a win. The Kings have been performing well offensively this season, with a league-leading 121.4 points per game while shooting 49.7%, but their defense has often been lacking. Looking at the team's statistics, the Kings are ranked 26th in the league in points allowed per game, with opponents averaging 118.3 points per game. This is an area where the Kings need to improve, especially against a team like the Pelicans who average 114.3 points per game. The Kings also need to improve their rebounding, as they are ranked 23rd in the league in total rebounds per game, with 49.8. The Pelicans, on the other hand, are ranked 12th in the league in total rebounds per game, with 51.8. The Kings need to work on boxing out and crashing the boards to limit the Pelicans' second-chance opportunities. Another area where the Kings can improve defensively is their three-point defense. They are ranked 26th in the league in opponent three-point percentage, with a 37.2% allowed. The Pelicans shoot 36.4% from beyond the arc, so the Kings will need to contest their three-point attempts and run them off the line. In conclusion, the Kings need to step up their defense if they want to improve their chances of winning against the Pelicans. They need to limit their opponents' scoring, improve their rebounding, and contest the Pelicans' three-point attempts. If the Kings can do that, they have a good chance of securing a victory against the Pelicans.

Pelicans: Offense Analysis

In their upcoming game against the Sacramento Kings, the New Orleans Pelicans will need their offense firing on all cylinders to secure their fourth straight home win. The Pelicans' offense has been showing promise in their recent games, with a 7-3 record in their last 10 games and averaging 116.4 points per game while shooting an impressive 49.3% from the field. Although the team will be missing the services of key player Zion Williamson due to a hamstring injury, they still have a number of offensive weapons at their disposal. CJ McCollum has been averaging 20.8 points and 5.8 assists per game, while Brandon Ingram has been in phenomenal form with 29.5 points per game over the last 10 games. The Pelicans will also look to dominate in the paint, where they have been averaging 53.5 points per game led by Williamson's replacement, Herbert Jones, who has been averaging 8.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. The Pelicans will need to be efficient on offense as they face a formidable Kings defense. The Kings have been allowing only 112.2 points per game, the eighth-best in the league. They have also been effective at limiting their opponents' field goal percentage, allowing only 47.2% shooting from the field. However, the Pelicans can take advantage of the Kings' weakness in defending the three-point shot. The Kings have been allowing their opponents to shoot 37.2% from beyond the arc, which is the 26th best in the league. The Pelicans should look to exploit this weakness by getting open looks from downtown, with Murphy III, Richardson, and Marshall all shooting above 37% from three-point range. In conclusion, the Pelicans' offense will be the key to securing a win against a tough Kings team. They will need to continue their scoring form while being efficient on the offensive end. The Kings' defense will pose a challenge, but the Pelicans have the firepower to overcome it and come away with the win.

Pelicans: Defensive Analysis

The New Orleans Pelicans are set to take on the Sacramento Kings in what promises to be an exciting game. As the Pelicans seek their fourth straight home win, their defense will play a crucial role in determining the outcome. Let's take a closer look at their defensive analysis and what to expect. The Pelicans have gone 28-21 against Western Conference teams, thanks in part to their defense. They have allowed an average of 112.2 points per game, which ranks them eighth in the league. They will need to maintain their defensive intensity to limit the Kings' high-scoring offense, which leads the Western Conference in points per game with 121.4. One player to watch on the Pelicans' defense is Brandon Ingram, who is averaging 29.5 points over the last 10 games. He will need to continue his strong play on both ends of the court to help his team secure a win. The Pelicans will be without Zion Williamson, who is out with a hamstring injury. However, their defense has been reliable even without him, thanks to players like CJ McCollum. McCollum is averaging 20.8 points and 5.8 assists for the Pelicans, and his defensive prowess will be crucial in limiting the Kings' scoring opportunities. In terms of key defensive metrics, the Pelicans have been solid. They are second in the league in steals per game, averaging 8.3, and second in steals per play at 7.4%. They will need to continue forcing turnovers to limit the Kings' offense. Overall, the Pelicans' defense will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of this game. If they can limit the Kings' scoring opportunities, they have a good chance of securing their fourth straight home win. As we look at the NBA picks and predictions from experts and computers, it's clear that this game could go either way. However, with a reliable defense and strong players on both ends of the court, the Pelicans have what it takes to come out on top. This game should be a close one, but we're predicting the Pelicans to win with their solid defensive play.

Injury Report

The New Orleans Pelicans will be without three players for their matchup against the Sacramento Kings. E.J. Liddell is out with a knee injury, while Zion Williamson is out with a hamstring injury. Jose Alvarado will also miss the game due to a tibia injury. Meanwhile, the Kings only have one player on their injury report. Matthew Dellavedova will be out with a finger injury. Both teams have dealt with injuries throughout the season, but the Pelicans' absences of Williamson and Liddell will be significant. The Kings will look to capitalize on their opponent's missing pieces and secure a win on the road. However, the Pelicans have been playing well lately, winning seven of their last 10 games, and will put up a fight on their home court.

Player	Team	Position	Injury Status
E.J. Liddell	New Orleans Pelicans	F	Out (knee)
Zion Williamson	New Orleans Pelicans	PF	Out (hamstring)
Jose Alvarado	New Orleans Pelicans	PG	Out (tibia)
Matthew Dellavedova	Sacramento Kings	PG	Out (finger)

Betting Trends Analysis

The Sacramento Kings are one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now. They have won their last six out of 10 games and have been putting up an impressive 121.4 points per game, which leads the entire Western Conference. They have also been shooting very effectively at 49.7% from the field. On the other hand, the New Orleans Pelicans have been having a good season as well. They have gone 7-3 in their last 10 games and are looking to keep their three-game home winning streak intact. However, the Pelicans will be without their superstar Zion Williamson, who is out with a hamstring injury. This will definitely impact their scoring ability as Williamson has been averaging 19.1 points per game and is a threat in the paint. Looking at the betting trends, the Kings are 31-17 against Western Conference opponents, which bodes well for them in this matchup. Additionally, they have been putting up a lot of points and have a strong offense, which could prove difficult for the Pelicans' defense. Experts and computer predictions are leaning towards the Kings in this matchup. They have been performing well lately and have a strong chance to come out on top. As for the spread, the Pelicans are favored by 1.5 points, but given the Kings' recent performances, they could easily cover the spread and come out with the win. Overall, the Kings look to have the upper hand in this matchup, and if they can continue their strong offensive performances, they should be able to take down the Pelicans.