Golden State Warriors vs Sacramento Kings January 5th 2025

The Sacramento Kings (+127) head to San Francisco to take on the Golden State Warriors (-151) in a Western Pacific Division matchup. Tipoff is set for 8:30 ET at Chase Center. The Warriors are currently favored by 3 points.

The Kings (16-19) are 11th in the Western Conference and 4th in the Pacific Division. They have won three straight games. The Warriors (18-16) are 8th in the West and 3rd in the Pacific. They have won two in a row.

Kings vs. Warriors Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Sacramento Kings at Golden State Warriors
• Where: San Francisco at Chase Center
• Date: Sunday, January 5th
• Betting Odds GS -3, SAC +127 | GS -151 O/U 225.5

The Kings Can Win If…

The Kings improved to 16-19 on the season with a 138-133 win over the Grizzlies on Friday. Sacramento was favored by three points at home and covered the spread, while the total score of 271 points exceeded the over/under line of 242.5.

Sacramento jumped out to a 46-32 lead after the 1st quarter, thanks in part to a 10-0 run. Memphis battled back, outscoring the Kings in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, but Sacramento held a 102-100 lead going into the 4th and outscored the Grizzlies 36-33 in the final period to secure the win.

Malik Monk’s 31 points and 6 threes led the Kings to a win over the Grizzlies, with Sacramento hitting 21 threes at a 44.7% rate. DeMar DeRozan added 29 points, connecting on 4 threes at 57.1% shooting.

Monk scored 11 points in the 4th quarter, while DeRozan added 13, and De’Aaron Fox contributed 12 of his 23 points in the final period. Trey Lyles also chipped in 11 of his 16 points in the opening quarter.

Defensively, the Kings struggled in the 2nd quarter, giving up 40 points to the Grizzlies, but they managed to tighten up in the 3rd, allowing just 28 points. Overall, Sacramento allowed 133 points on 48% shooting from the field.

The Kings also had trouble defending the three, as Memphis hit 17 threes at a 45% clip. Sacramento sent the Grizzlies to the line 36 times, where they made 30 free throws. The Kings recorded 10 steals and 8 blocks in the game.

• Through their last five road contests, the Kings offense has averaged 117 points per game while allowing an average of 116. Sacramento posted an overall record of 2-3 while going 1-4 ATS.
• The last five games that Sacramento was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 2-3 while going 2-3 straight up.
• Over their last five games, the Kings have an over/under record of 2-2-1 and are 2-3 vs. the spread.

The Warriors Can Win If…

The Warriors improved to 18-16 on the season with a 121-113 win over the Grizzlies on Saturday. Playing at home, Golden State covered the spread as -3 point favorites. The total score of 234 points went over the pre-game line of 229.

A key moment came when the Warriors went on a 12-0 run early, extending the score from 3-2 to 15-2. They maintained control throughout, winning each quarter by a small margin, including a 92-86 lead heading into the 4th.

The Warriors connected on 23 threes at a 53.5% clip in their 121-113 win over the Grizzlies, shooting 52.4% from the field overall. Andrew Wiggins led the way with 24 points, including 18 in the 3rd quarter.

Lindy Waters III hit 4 threes at 80% efficiency, finishing with 16 points, 8 of which came in the 4th quarter. Dennis Schröder added 17 points, contributing 6 in both the 1st and 4th quarters.

Despite allowing the Grizzlies to shoot 52% from the field, the Warriors held them to 113 points in their win on Saturday. Golden State gave up 29 points in the 1st quarter but tightened up in the 2nd, allowing just 25 points. Memphis scored 32 points in the 3rd, but the Warriors limited them to 27 in the final quarter.

The Warriors did a great job defending the three, as the Grizzlies made just 9 threes on 33% shooting. Memphis also went 12/16 from the free-throw line. Golden State finished with 13 steals and 5 blocks in the game.

• Through their last three home contests, the Warriors offense has averaged 99 points per game while allowing an average of 116. Golden State posted an overall record of 1-2 while going 1-2 ATS.
• As the betting favorite, the Warriors have an ATS mark of just 3-7 in their last ten games. Golden State posted a straight up mark of 5-5 in these matchups.
• In their last five games, the Warriors have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 2-3 vs. the spread.

The Lean

Coming in as the underdogs at +3, we have the Kings as the way to go on the point spread. Not only do we have them covering, but our projections show they have a good one of winning this one straight-up, if you’re looking for a higher payout on the moneyline.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 225.5, and our model projects the Kings and Warriors to reach a combined total of 246 points. Our bet is on taking the over.

Kings and Warriors Renew Rivalry Under Doug Christie’s Leadership

A fierce Northern California rivalry continues Sunday night as the Sacramento Kings visit the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco. The two teams, who eliminated each other in postseason clashes over the last two seasons, now meet in a regular-season showdown, marking a new chapter with Doug Christie leading the Kings as interim head coach.

Kings Find Momentum with Christie at the Helm

The Kings have shown significant improvement since parting ways with Mike Brown last month. Under Christie’s guidance, Sacramento has won three of their last four games after enduring a five-game skid. The decision to replace Brown, a former Warriors assistant and 2022-23 NBA Coach of the Year, shocked many, including Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.

“When you think about where that franchise was before Mike got there and where they’ve been the last couple years, it’s really shocking,” Kerr remarked.

Christie’s Kings have embraced a balanced and dynamic offensive approach. De’Aaron Fox showcased his scoring prowess with 33 points against the Dallas Mavericks, while Domantas Sabonis dominated the glass with 21 rebounds in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Malik Monk and DeMar DeRozan combined for 60 points in Friday’s victory over Memphis, highlighting the team’s depth.

Despite their resurgence, the Kings remain outside the Western Conference playoff picture. Malik Monk acknowledged the need for consistency, emphasizing the importance of maintaining their momentum:

“Can’t be too high. Can’t be too low. We’ve got to keep working, but we’re happy for sure.”

Warriors Prepare for Kings Without Curry

Golden State enters the contest on a two-game winning streak, having recently defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 121-113. The Warriors showed resilience by stepping up in Stephen Curry’s absence, as the star guard was rested to recover from sore knees and a sprained thumb.

Without Curry, Golden State leaned on its bench, with Lindy Waters III delivering a crucial 16-point performance. The team demonstrated its sharpshooting capabilities, connecting on 23 three-pointers, a key component of their offense.

Curry is expected to return against the Kings, adding a layer of intrigue to a matchup that already carries emotional weight. The Warriors are still dealing with injuries to Brandin Podziemski (abdomen) and Gary Payton II (calf), but their depth has proven capable of stepping up when needed.

A Rivalry Rekindled

The last meeting between these teams came in dramatic fashion. In the 2023-24 season’s play-in tournament, Sacramento stunned Golden State with an explosive performance led by Keegan Murray’s eight three-pointers and 32-point outburst. That win helped the Kings advance further, avenging their first-round playoff loss to the Warriors the season prior.

Now, both teams are looking to establish themselves in a competitive Western Conference. Sacramento’s recent victories highlight their potential under Christie’s leadership, while Golden State aims to build on their current win streak with Curry back in the fold.

NHL Metropolitan Division: Odds and Predictions

High-Stakes Showdown

Sunday’s clash is more than a rivalry game; it’s an opportunity for both teams to test their mettle. The Kings are eager to prove they’ve turned a corner, while the Warriors look to maintain their championship-caliber resilience despite challenges with injuries and rotations.

With both squads showcasing their three-point shooting prowess in recent games, fans can expect an electrifying contest. The outcome could set the tone for both teams as they push toward playoff contention in the tightly packed Western Conference.

The stakes are high, the rivalry is fierce, and the stage is set for a thrilling night in San Francisco.