New Orleans Pelicans vs Sacramento Kings Prediction, Expert Picks, Odds, News, Injury Report for 4/19/24

The season is on the line for the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans. The outcome of Pelicans vs Kings Prediction Win Probability and odds on Friday night will determine which team faces the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round and which will be heading into the offseason.

The NBA Playoffs are getting underway properly this weekend, and our Expert Insights are still going to be stacked with basketball betting tips. Tipster Sam Cox will have tips throughout the postseason.

Pelicans vs Kings Prediction and Picks: 6.00 Same-Game Parlay For Play-In Showdown

•         Over 213.5 points
•         Keon Ellis over 10.5 points
•         Herb Jones over 1.5 made threes

Same-game parlay odds: 6.00

Keon Ellis has been a key cog for the Kings with Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter unavailable. Ellis will have a lot of work to do on the defensive end, but he’s also been a more than serviceable offensive player. In New Orleans’ efforts to slow down Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox, Ellis could get a few easy looks. He’s cleared this line in three straight games and four of his last five.

Herb Jones will be at the center of the Pels’ attempts to hassle Fox. He played 35 minutes against the Lakers and could have an even greater minutes total in this do-or-die game. Having shot almost 42% from three this season, taking this over is a no-brainer. He has made two or more threes in three consecutive games.

Pelicans vs Kings Game Info

• Stadium: Smoothie King Center
• Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
• Start time: 2:30am UK time

New Orleans Pelicans News, Injury Report, Schedule: Zion’s Absence Hits Pels Hard

Just as Zion Williamson was realising his superstar potential, another injury has sidelined him for a prolonged period. New Orleans is without their best player for this Play-In – Williamson pulled his hamstring against the Lakers and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

New Orleans was sixth in net rating in the regular season and played at a high level on both ends. While they were +7.6 per 100 possessions in minutes without Williamson, the offensive burden on CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram is sizeable in his absence. The duo combined for just 20 points against the Lakers.

They can at least take confidence from being an elite defense, however. Only five teams had a better defensive rating since the All-Star break. Some bettors might be wary of those numbers, though, particularly as they ranked 20th in adjusted shot quality.

Sacramento Kings News, Injury Report, Schedule: Still Without Monk & Huerter

Sacramento got the better of the Warriors in the first phase of the Play-In despite injuries to Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter. Huerter is out for the season following shoulder surgery, while Monk could return if the Kings progress in the Playoffs.

With injuries playing a part, the Kings fell down the Western Conference standings in the closing weeks of the season. Playing just .500 ball over their final 34 games, they finished 17th in net rating.

Being eighth in offense and ninth in defense since the All-Star break shows Sacramento has a formula for success, however.

Pelicans vs Kings H2H: Recent & Long-Term History Favour Pels

These two teams have played 77 regular-season games against each other. New Orleans has a 44-33 advantage in the all-time series. The Pels also won all five of their meetings in 2023-24 after the Kings took two out of three last season.

They went over Friday’s game total in all five of their prior matchups this season.

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