Sacramento Kings vs Los Angeles Clippers preview, prediction and picks

The Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Clippers look to get back on the winning column at the expense of the other on Wednesday, 10:30 PM, at Staples Center.

On BetUs.com, the Clippers opened as -6 favorites over the Kings, who dropped back-to-back games against Memphis and Lakers. Most sports betting sites placed the total at 215 points, showing that bookmakers expect the competing teams to score more than 100 points.

Sacramento Kings vs Los Angeles Clippers Betting Lines

ATS: Clippers -6 points

Moneyline: Kings +200, Clippers -240

O/U: 215 points

Sacramento Kings vs Los Angeles Clippers Team News

DraftKings Nation writer Chinmay Vaidya mentioned Kings shooting guard Buddy Hield among the prime trade candidates entering December. The scribe believes, apart from Hield’s reputation as one of the top long-range snipers in the league, his unique contract makes him a target of title contenders looking to shore up their shooting.

“Because of his unique contract, Hield is going to be the biggest trade target out there. The Kings are going nowhere once again, and the Hield has expressed his displeasure with the organization before. The sharpshooter is averaging 16.7 points per game and shooting 37.2 percent from deep. The Lakers are going to be considered favorites but watch out for the Clippers, 76ers, and Hornets here, among other teams,” Vaidya said of Hield’s trade potential status.

Josh Sexton of Clip Nation thinks the Clippers will soon feel the impact of returning big man Serge Ibaka. The veteran big man recorded 13 points on 5-for-7 FG shooting with six rebounds in a loss to the Pelicans last Monday. Head coach Ty Lue also praised Ibaka’s performance despite playing 26 limited minutes, saying his big man showed no rust in his return from a long injury layoff.

He was really good,” Lue said. “I thought he had a good rhythm, you know, making three threes. Six rebounds. So it’s pretty good. Got to continue to keep getting him going. But I thought he had a good game tonight.”

Sacramento Kings vs Los Angeles Clippers Injury Report

Kings: Harrison Barnes – OUT (Foot), Moe Harkless – Questionable (Knee), and Marvin Bagley III – OUT (Illness).

Clippers: Nicolas Batum – OUT (Illness), Paul George – OUT (Rest), Kawhi Leonard – OUT (Knee), Jason Preston – OUT (Foot).

Sacramento Kings vs Los Angeles Clippers Preview

The Kings dropped their second straight game to the Los Angeles Clippers after blowing a double-digit lead in the third quarter. Sacramento felt the absence of leading-scorer Harrison Barnes, as only three Kings players scored in double figures. Richaun Holmes had a career night with 27 points but his effort won’t be enough to stave off the Lakers’ furious run in the second half.

The Clippers bowed down to the Pelicans for the second time this season behind the hot hand of Jonas Valanciunas. Paul George posted 27 points and Reggie Jackson added 19. However, the Clips couldn’t douse the flaming hand of Valanciunas, who shot 7-for-8 from deep and 15-for-24 from the field to finish with 39 points.

Sacramento Kings vs Los Angeles Clippers Prediction

Despite a 9-6 record at home, the Clippers are going to have their hands full against the Kings, especially with George sitting out to rest his bummed knee. Los Angeles are 2-1 in their last three outings with Sacramento, averaging 121 points per contest against the opponents’ 103 points. However, it will be difficult for the Clippers to replace the production a Paul George provides in each game. Moreover, the Kings sport a solid 6-5 ATS away record, which shows their ability to pull off an upset if given the opportunity. Furthermore, the total has also gone OVER in 4 of Sacramento’s last 5 games against an opponent in the Western Conference.