The New Orleans Pelicans (47-32) head out to California tonight as they face the Sacramento Kings (45-34) at Golden 1 Center, Sacramento in what is a monumental clash in regards to the 2024 NBA playoff race.
Both teams have just three games left to play in the regular season, and it’s the Pelicans who currently hold the advantage in sixth-place in the West. The Kings are just two games back in eighth, though, which makes this matchup even more significant.
In a battle for the all-important sixth seed, the oddsmakers are expecting a close game. Sacramento are narrow 1-point favorites for the game, whilst the game total is set at O/U 216.5. You can find out our best bet for the matchup below!
Last Time Out
It was a disappointing end of March and beginning of April for the Pelicans who went on a four-game skid just at the wrong time, losing to the Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic and the San Antonio Spurs. That has put their playoff hopes in jeopardy.
Nevertheless, they have won two on the bounce since then - both out on the road - and they are currently just a half game ahead of the Suns who occupy the seventh seed. Their 113-105 triumph against Phoenix last Sunday was enormous, before New Orleans followed that up with a 110-100 win against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Sacramento are still in the hunt for the final sixth seed too, and a win here would see them move just one game back behind both the Pelicans and the Suns with two games to go. However, their recent form hasn’t been fantastic, having lost three of their last four in the NBA.
Going 3-3 in April, their mixed form this month has epitomized their season thus far: inconsistent. The Kings started the month with back-to-back wins over the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers, but then went on to lose to both the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics. Sunday saw them return to the win column with a comfortable 107-77 victory against the Brooklyn Nets, before they lost 112-105 last time out to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Injuries & Team News
A hindering factor for the Pelicans of late is the loss of forward Brandon Ingram. He has been missing since March 21 after hyperextending his knee against the Magic. Since then, New Orleans are just 5-5, and he will remain out for the game here. Fellow forward Naji Marshall is questionable due to a shoulder injury.
The Kings have been missing some important scoring depth due to the injuries to both Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk. The latter has averaged 15.4 points per game (ppg) off the bench this season, and the pair are still unavailable for this one. Jordan Ford (hip) and Keegan Murray (calf) are both day-to-day.
