The Los Angeles Lakers (23-13) and Sacramento Kings (9-30) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 10:00 p.m. ET from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. The game will broadcast live on NBCS-CA.
The Lakers are 9.5-point favorites over the Kings on the spread (Lakers -9.5), with the over/under set at 228.5 total points. Los Angeles is a -380 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Sacramento is +300 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Lakers vs. Kings predictions and NBA picks for Monday, January 12.
Lakers vs Kings Prediction
- Lakers vs Kings pick: Lakers Team Total Over 118.5 (-115)
My Lakers vs Kings best bet is on Los Angeles to go over its team total of 118.5, with the best price currently available at bet365. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Lakers vs Kings Odds
| Lakers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9.5 -105 | 228.5 -108o / -112u | -380 |
| Kings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9.5 -115 | 228.5 -108o / -112u | +300 |
Lakers vs Kings NBA Preview, Picks
The Lakers, at 23-13, have a -0.3 net rating. It's one of the more befuddling team stats you'll find this NBA season. Of the 16 NBA teams currently .500 or better, they're the only one with a negative point differential.
In fact, the next best team — in terms of record — with a negative point differential is the 19-20 Trail Blazers, who are -2.3 net on the year. The Hawks, who are 19-21 this season, are -0.4 net.
Meanwhile, the Kings have one of the worst records in the Western Conference at 9-31, and are an NBA-worst -11.6 net. Look for Sacramento to be involved in a bunch of trade rumors, and possibly make a bunch of actual trades, because they have the least sensible roster in the league.
However, the Kings did just upset the Rockets last night, giving Houston a third straight loss.
Coming off their tremendous win, the Kings are on the second of a back-to-back against the Lakers, who've been out since Friday.
For the Lakers, Rui Hachimura (calf) is playing tonight after returning to practice on Sunday, according to head coach JJ Redick. He's not even on the injury report anymore after being out since December 28.
Austin Reaves (calf) will be out for the Lakers. The Kings are expected to be without Domantas Sabonis (knee) and Keegan Murray (ankle).
Lakers vs Kings Prediction, Betting Analysis
For this one, I'm tailing our own Sean Little, who hosted Buckets with Joe Dellera and myself today. Sean shouted out the Lakers' team total over 118.5, and I think it's a great look.
The Kings have the league's third-worst defense, even after last night. Of their 36 games played this season, the Lakers are over 118.5 in just 16, but two of those came against the Kings, where they produced 127 and 125, respectively, on October 26 and December 28.
Luka Doncic and LeBron James both missed the former — Reaves had 51, 11, and 9 — and Reaves missed the latter, as he will again tonight.
In 39 games this season, the Kings have allowed over 118.5 (and, exactly 120 or more) points 24 times.
In the second of a back-to-back, teams have scored at least 124 or more every single time against the Kings, over 118.5 in 6-of-6.
In fact, the Kings average 129 points on the second of a back-to-back this season.
Props to Sean for identifying this. I think it's a good spot.
Pick: Lakers Team Total Over 118.5 (-115)
