The Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Clippers collide in a matchup of Western Conference basement-dwellers.
The pregame narrative: Sacramento is only 2.5 games behind Los Angeles in the standings but enters this contest as a sizeable underdog. The Clippers are playing better basketball lately and are worth backing in this contest.
Check out my Kings vs. Clippers SGP predictions for Dec. 30, featuring a prop bet on Keegan Murray.
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Kings vs. Clippers predictions
Parlay: Clippers -6.5 | Under 222.5 points | Murray under 14.5 points (+300)
Clippers -6.5 (-186): Los Angeles is finding its groove, and it should be able to win big against an injury-riddled Kings squad.
The Clippers have won four consecutive games, taking each by 13-plus points.
Kawhi Leonard's recent play is a big reason for this success. Leonard is averaging 39 points per game during this stretch and is coming off a 55-point performance against the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons.
Sacramento, meanwhile, is really struggling to stay competitive. The Kings have lost three consecutive games, dropping two of those by seven-plus points.
Picking on Sacramento has been a great strategy for bettors this season. It has the second-worst ATS record in the league (12-20), with a -10.4 average margin.
NBA SGP legs
Under 222.5 points (-120): Injuries play a big part in backing this under.
It isn't easy to pencil the Kings down for a big total. Top scorers Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis are out, which significantly hinders Sacramento's offensive ceiling.
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The Kings don't have much of a ceiling to begin with, ranking 27th in points per game this season (111.7).
Los Angeles has been scoring more recently, but still, this isn't a number it clears with much frequency.
The Clippers have gone below this game total in three of their last four games.
Murray under 14.5 points (-130): Lastly, I'm fading Murray in this matchup.
Keep in mind that the power forward has missed the last two games with a calf injury and is questionable for tonight. But if he plays, I'll happily fade him.
-> Fade Keegan Murray at NorthStar Bets!
Firstly, returning from injury presents its own challenges. It's unclear what Murray's usage will look like in his first game back.
Secondly, the Clippers are a difficult matchup for power forwards. They're surrendering the sixth-fewest points per game to the position (21.6).
