The Sacramento Kings didn’t miss a beat over the all-star break, they came back last night and beat Portland, 133-116, and tonight they’re in LA to take on the Clippers. The Kings are in third place in the Western Conference at 33-25, followed closely behind by these very Clippers who are 33-28 in fourth place.
De’Aaron Fox had 31 points last night and their other all-star Domantas Sabonis finished with 18 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists. They’ll need to outplay the Clippers lone all-star Paul George and of course Kawhi Leonard both with fresh legs tonight.
No load management coming out of the break, so with a full lineup, the Clippers are favorites.
Kings vs. Clippers odds, spread and total
Kings vs. Clippers prediction and pick
Not to bury the lead, but the Clippers will also be debuting their buyout signing, former MVP, Russell Westbrook.
Westbrook was a disaster playing for the other team in LA and I’m not sure why the Clippers think this will go differently. The most important player on any team that Russell Westbrook plays on is Russell Westbrook, at least that’s what he believes. He’s going to want to put on a show in his debut and he might be the least efficient player in the NBA.
Westbrook is 433rd in the NBA in effective field goal percentage, which slots him just two places ahead of John Wall, who tried and failed to be the Clippers’ solution at point guard. They replaced John Wall who can’t shoot with Westbrook who can’t shoot, but thinks he can and has a worse assist to turnover ratio. Despite his awful efficiency and being forced into a reduced role with the Lakers his usage rate is 27.6. This team just got worse by signing Westbrook and it’ll be on full display tonight.
Give me the Kings even on the second night of a back-to-back.
Pick: Kings +220
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