New Orleans (28-36) at Sacramento (28-36)
When: Wednesday, March 11th, 2020
Where: Golden 1 Center,
Sacramento, CA
Time: 10:35 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: New Orleans -1.5/236.5
Two teams looking to stay in the Western Conference playoff hunt will battle in a key game Wednesday night as the New Orleans Pelicans visit the Sacramento Kings on ESPN. With the Memphis Grizzlies in the No. 8 spot and losing last night, the Pelicans and Kings are now just 3.5 games behind in the battle for the final playoff spot, but Portland and San Antonio are right behind them. The Pelicans have won their last two games including a 120-107 triumph at Minnesota on Sunday in which they held the Timberwolves to 39.4 percent from the floor. New Orleans has covered the spread in each of their last three games and are a sizzling 13-3-1 ATS in their last 17 away from home. The Kings have won seven of their last 10 games but dropped their latest one – a 118-113 setback to the Toronto Raptors on Sunday despite a huge game from the bench. Sacramento’s backups outscored Toronto 51-7 and are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 games. The Pelicans have won and covered each of the past three meetings including a 117-115 won at Sacramento on Jan. 4 as 2.5-point underdogs.
Part of the Pelican’s success since their horrible start has been point guard Lonzo Ball, who is averaging 20.8 points in five games this month after averaging just 10.2 in February. Zion Williamson continues to be as-advertised with 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting on Sunday, pushing his season averages to 23.6 points on 58.9 percent shooting in 19 games. Guard Jrue Holiday scored a season-high 37 points on 13-of-20 shooting, while recording nine rebounds and eight assists on Sunday. Forward Brandon Ingram had an all-around solid game with 15 points, 12 boards and seven assists. The Pelicans’ tough stretch continues Friday at the Utah Jazz.
The Kings have been thriving since coach Luke Walton moved shooting guard Buddy Hield into a reserve role, despite his unhappiness. Hield scored 11 points in 24 minutes Sunday and is averaging 19.4 points while shooting 47.6 percent from 3-point range off the bench but was kept on the bench the entire fourth quarter against the Raptors. Hield recorded 24 points and 12 rebounds in the January loss to New Orleans. Kent Bazemore and Alex Len each scored 15 points versus the Raptors and combined for 13 rebounds. Point guard De’Aaron Fox led everyone with 28 points and has scored 20 or more in eight of his last nine contests. The Kings will host Brooklyn on Sunday, getting three full days rest.
I like the way both teams are playing, but I’ll take New Orleans in this one. They play exceptionally well on the road and the team is really starting to come together.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free NBA Picks page for Wednesday. He is 73-57-3 on the season after a 13-6 run!
Pick: Pelicans -1.5
Pelicans are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games as a road favorite.
Pelicans are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Pelicans are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games playing on 2 days rest.
Pelicans are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Pelicans are 13-3-1 ATS in their last 17 road games.
Pelicans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Wednesday games.
Pelicans are 16-5-1 ATS in their last 22 games following a ATS win.
Pelicans are 22-7-1 ATS in their last 30 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Pelicans are 23-10-1 ATS in their last 34 games overall.
Pelicans are 23-10-1 ATS in their last 34 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Pelicans are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games as a favorite.
Pelicans are 22-10-1 ATS in their last 33 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Pelicans are 13-6-1 ATS in their last 20 games following a straight up win.
Pelicans are 19-9-1 ATS in their last 29 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Pelicans are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Kings are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 games as an underdog.
Kings are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a home underdog.
Kings are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Kings are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up loss.
Kings are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
Kings are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Kings are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Kings are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Kings are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Kings are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Kings are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 home games.
Kings are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 2 days rest.
Kings are 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6 Wednesday games.
Under is 4-0 in Pelicans last 4 games following a ATS win.
Under is 5-1 in Pelicans last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Pelicans last 5 games playing on 2 days rest.
Over is 15-4 in Pelicans last 19 games following a straight up win.
Over is 10-3 in Pelicans last 13 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Over is 5-2 in Pelicans last 7 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Over is 20-8 in Pelicans last 28 vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Over is 19-8 in Pelicans last 27 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 22-10 in Pelicans last 32 overall.
Over is 22-10 in Pelicans last 32 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 13-6 in Pelicans last 19 games as a favorite.
Over is 21-10 in Pelicans last 31 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-0 in Kings last 4 overall.
Over is 4-0 in Kings last 4 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-0 in Kings last 4 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-0 in Kings last 4 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-0 in Kings last 4 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-0 in Kings last 4 Wednesday games.
Over is 5-1 in Kings last 6 home games.
Over is 4-1 in Kings last 5 games playing on 2 days rest.
Over is 4-1 in Kings last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Over is 7-2 in Kings last 9 games as a home underdog.
Over is 9-3 in Kings last 12 games following a straight up loss.
Over is 21-8-1 in Kings last 30 vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Over is 14-6 in Kings last 20 games as an underdog.
Pelicans are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Sacramento.
Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Sacramento.
Pelicans are 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
Over is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings.
