Filip Tomic
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In the final NBA Play-In Tournament game of the year, we have the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans squaring off at Smoothie King Arena. The Pels have won all 5 meetings this year but can Sacramento pull off the road upset? Tip-off is at 9:30 pm ET on TNT and I’ve prepared a Kings vs Pelicans Same Game Parlay which you can find below. For predictions on the side and total for every game of the NBA Playoffs, simply head over to our NBA picks.
Kings -1.5 (-110)
Domantas Sabonis to score 20+ points (+105)
Brandon Ingram to score 20+ points (+100)
Same Game Parlay odds: +550
Sacramento Kings -1.5 over New Orleans Pelicans (-110)
I know the Pelicans dominated the head-to-head meetings this season, but the injury to Zion Williamson changes everything in my opinion. In 4 meetings against the Kings this season, Williamson averaged 23 points, 5.8 assists and 4.5 rebounds in 4 games, while shooting over 60% from the field. Losing that kind of productivity will be devastating for a team that’s been hampered by injuries quite a lot recently.
Meanwhile, the Kings will be very motivated to get revenge on those 5 regular-season defeats they suffered. Optimism will be at a high after their 24-point win over Golden State, De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis played extremely well in that game. I’m expecting more of the same here from the dynamic duo, as they’re combining to average 40 points and 13 assists per game this season against New Orleans. Back Sacramento to advance into the postseason.
Read our full Sacramento Kings vs New Orleans Pelicans predictions
Domantas Sabonis to score 20+ points (+105)
Sabonis had a triple-double once and a double-double 4 times this season against the Pelicans and that’s despite having to deal with Zion Williamson in 4 of those games. With the big fella out of the way, Sabonis should have a ton more energy at his disposal both on offense and on defense. He finished the year averaging 18.8 points per game against New Orleans on 50% or better shooting in every single meeting. Most of his production comes from inside the paint where the Pels are allowing an average of 51.3 points per game in their last 3. I don’t think they’ll have an answer to deal with the Lithuanian down low.
You can also find out our expert’s Chicago Bulls vs Miami Heat predictions
Brandon Ingram to score 20+ points (+100)
Despite Ingram struggling in the play-in game against the Lakers, I still have a lot of faith in him. He did go 6-for-9 from the field for 13 points in that game, which will only improve as he gets his legs back under him. Zion’s absence automatically makes him the 2nd scoring option behind the slightly more consistent C.J. McCollum, who also isn’t having the best of runs lately. Ingram has averaged 24.8 points per game in 4 meetings with the Kings this season, clearing this line in 3 of those games. He shot 50% or better in all 4 games against them, which is a good sign heading into this play-in game. His size and length is a problem for much better defenses than that of the Kings, so I expect him to carry most of the load offensively here for New Orleans.
Now read our Bulls vs Heat Same Game Parlay at HUGE +1613 odds for tonight’s other play-in game
