Sacramento Kings (35-36) will face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder (59-12) in a Western Conference game on Tuesday. The Thunder are comfortably in the top spot in the Western Conference and have won their last six games. On Sunday, they defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 103-101. The Kings have been struggling, losing their last three games, including a 113-95 defeat by the Boston Celtics last night. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are questionable for the Thunder due to hip injuries.
The game will take place at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. The teams have played twice this season, with Oklahoma City winning 144-110 on February 1. The Thunder are favored by 10 points in the latest odds, and the over/under for total points is 231.
The SportsLine Projection Model has simulated this game 10,000 times and has a strong track record in NBA predictions.
Why the Thunder could cover the spread
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder`s guard, is a skilled ball-handler and playmaker. He leads the NBA in scoring with 32.8 points per game and also leads his team in assists (6.3) and steals (1.8). He has scored at least 30 points and had six or more assists in four of his last five games. In their game against the Hornets on March 21, he had 30 points, six rebounds, and nine assists.
Isaiah Hartenstein, the center, is a key player in the frontcourt, averaging 11.4 points and 11.1 rebounds with a 57.1% field goal percentage. He has recorded double-doubles in his last four games. In his most recent game, he had 14 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, three blocks, and two steals. The Thunder also have a strong 21-12-2 record against the spread as the road team.
Why the Kings could cover the spread
Zach LaVine, the Kings` guard, is an athletic scorer with a good jump shot. This season, he is averaging 23.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. On March 17 against the Grizzlies, he scored 23 points, had six assists, and made five 3-pointers.
DeMar DeRozan, a forward, is effective in the mid-range and in the low post. He averages 22.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game and has scored over 20 points in his last seven games. In their win against the Cavaliers on March 19, he had 27 points and four assists.
Prediction for Thunder vs. Kings
SportsLine`s model projects a total of 224 combined points for the game, leaning towards the Under. The model also suggests there is value on one side of the spread.
Visit SportsLine to see the model`s NBA picks and find out which side of the Thunder vs. Kings spread offers the best value.
