The Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Clippers wrap up their preseason campaigns on Thursday night. Sacramento is still looking for their first preseason victory of the year, going 0-3 so far in 2024. While they have yet to win an NBA game, plenty of positives remain to take away. DeMar DeRozan has settled in nicely with his new team and will heavily impact the Sacramento Kings’ odds when making your NBA predictions. For the Clippers, they have had a different story so far this NBA preseason. They have won three straight preseason games in 2024 after losing their preseason opener against the Warriors. The Clippers have been able to flex their defensive muscles, holding teams to just 98.5 PPG. If they can keep that defensive attitude heading into the 2024 season, they will be one of the most popular expert picks for the early regular season games.
Kings vs Clippers Overview
- Teams: Sacramento Kings at Los Angeles Clippers
- Date: Thursday, October 17th, 2024
- Time: Tip-off is at 7:30 PM local time or 10:30 PM EST
- Venue: Inuit Dome in Inglewood, California
Current Kings vs Clippers Odds
Check NBA preseason odds in real-time.
Why the Sacramento Kings Can Cover
The Sacramento Kings can cover the spread using offensive weapons to pick apart the Clippers defense. Kawhi Leonard will be out for the Clippers, and their defense may be a little out of sorts without their leader and best defender on the court. The Kings won’t be able to match the Clippers intensity on the defensive end, but if they can outscore their issues, they can still pick up a win and cover on the road.
The Kings brought in DeMar DeRozan in the offseason, which will greatly increase their odds to win this NBA game. DeRozan is a proven scorer who has posted 20+ PPG in 11 straight seasons. His ability to take the ball to the hoop and stick mid-range shots will make it difficult for the Clippers to slow him down. DeRozan and De’Aaron Fox will steal the headlines with their flashy jumpshots, but it will be Domantas Sabonis that tilts this game one way or the other.
Sabonis led the league in rebounds last year (13.7), came 6th in assists (8.2), and was a respectable 45th in scoring (19.4 PPG). His ability to create offense from the center position is quite the luxury for the Kings, and it could allow them to cover the spread in Los Angeles. The Clippers have Ivica Zubac to try to slow Sabonis down, but when Zubac takes a rest, Sabonis will dominate inside.
Why the Los Angeles Clippers Can Cover
The Los Angeles Clippers have already won a 2024 NBA preseason game, which is something the Kings cannot say. The Clippers have rattled off three straight preseason victories, relying on their defense to get them over the line. They’ve allowed just 98.5 PPG through their four preseason games and have a 3-1 record to show for it. The preseason games feature plenty of rotation amongst the starters and bench players, which can prevent opposing teams from building up offensive momentum. However, a strong defensive mindset ripples through an entire organization, and it is clear the Clippers are not satisfied with an average defensive work rate.
On offense, James Harden has had to pick up the offensive workload with Kawhi Leonard in the infirmary. He’s scored 12.8 PPG in under 19 minutes of preseason action, chipping in with 6.8 assists, too. Harden is a 10-time NBA All-Star and knows that a strong preseason can translate into early success in the regular season. Between Harden’s offense and the Clippers’ defense, they could cover the spread at their new Iniut Arena on Thursday.
Players like Harden or Kevin Porter Jr. and his 18 points last game can tilt the scales in favor of the Clippers, but their defense will allow them to get a win and cover at home. The Clippers have been smothering on the defensive end, and that will not be stopping against the Kings. Los Angeles generated 29 turnovers against the Mavericks in their most recent victory and will have no problems matching that total against the Kings in their NBA preseason finale.
How to Make Sacramento Kings vs Los Angeles Clippers Picks
There is a clear answer for how to make your Sacramento Kings vs Los Angeles Clippers picks, and that is by heading to Sportzino. Sportzino has all the NBA preseason odds for this matchup, including spreads, totals, and moneylines. If you use expert picks to make your NBA preseason predictions, you can maximize your odds of making the correct pick. This is the final preseason game for these two teams in 2024, so we will see their starters suit up for extended periods.
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