basketball | Monday, December 19, 2022 1:07 PM

Sacramento Kings Vs Charlotte Hornets Best Bet: Sacramento To Win At A Canter

Sam Cox

SACRAMENTO KINGS VS CHARLOTTE HORNETS VS CHARLOTTE HORNETS BEST BET: MONDAY, DECEMBER 19TH

The Sacramento Kings are 8.5-point favourites over the lowly Charlotte Hornets in north California on Monday night. Sacramento has a 16-12 record. Charlotte languishes at 7-23 with the worst mark in the Association after a four-point loss to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.

With a rest disadvantage, it is no surprise the Hornets are hefty underdogs here. Sacramento has the second-best record against the spread in 2022-23, and they are a dominant 10-2 against teams below .500. Charlotte is an ugly 3-17 against teams above .500, plus the Kings are 8-4 straight up at home, where they have a raucous support.

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Sacramento Kings vs Charlotte Hornets Preview
Sacramento Kings vs Charlotte Hornets Best Bet

SACRAMENTO KINGS VS CHARLOTTE HORNETS PREVIEW

Tue, Dec 20. 03:10 (UK time)

The Kings are also 4-2 ATS as a home favourite. They come into this game with a weekend to recover after seeing off the Pistons, and no players on the injury report. Terry Rozier is still day-to-day after playing against Denver. Mark Williams, Dennis Smith Jr and Cody Martin all sat out Sunday’s game.

After winning on the road against Charlotte by seven points, Sacramento will be eyeing a comfortable victory here. The Hornets are 1-9 over their last 10 with a -11.4 net rating, which unsurprisingly places 30th in the Association. Sacramento’s offence has had some quieter nights over the last few weeks, but the defence has stepped up a level. Only five teams boast a better defensive rating across the previous 10 games.

Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid have each dropped historic lines on the Hornets over the last few games. Domantas Sabonis might not be of quite that calibre, but look for the former Pacer to dominate here. He has scored 20 or more in the last four games. An elite rebounder, Sabonis is going to earn the Kings a few extra possessions against a Hornets team which ranks 24th in defensive rebounding rate.

Charlotte’s main strength is getting to the rim. Only a couple of teams take more of their shots in the restricted area. Sacramento, with Sabonis limited defensively, struggle protecting the cup. They need to relentlessly attack the basket to stand a chance here.

Both teams like to get out and run, which should mean we get a high-scoring game here. The Hornets’ hope of keeping this close likely relies on the Kings going cold from outside – the hosts generate a lot of good perimeter shots and have the necessary shooting next to De’Aaron Fox and Sabonis.

SACRAMENTO KINGS VS CHARLOTTE HORNETS BEST BET

The Kings have won four of their last six home games by nine or more points. Charlotte has lost a fair chunk of its road games in blowout fashion.

There is very little in the Hornets’ favour coming into this game, aside from having Gordon Hayward and LaMelo Ball healthy. Sacramento should cruise this.