New Orleans Pelicans vs Sacramento Kings Picks and Predictions December 12th 2024

Kings and Pelicans Clash: A Battle of Offense and Resilience

The Sacramento Kings bring their high-octane offense to New Orleans on Thursday night, where they’ll face a struggling Pelicans team looking to tighten up defensively. With both teams showcasing unique strengths and vulnerabilities, this matchup promises plenty of fireworks.

Kings Riding High on Scoring Surge

Sacramento has been lighting up the scoreboard recently, averaging a staggering 140.5 points in their last two games and 127.2 points over their last five. Their dominant performances include a 141-97 blowout of the Utah Jazz and a 140-113 victory against the San Antonio Spurs.

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“The ball was touching the paint and getting sprayed,” said Kings coach Mike Brown, praising his team’s offensive fluidity. “We were spacing correctly. We were getting off the glass and running, and we didn’t get bored with it. And that’s why the game resulted in what it did.”

One key to Sacramento’s success has been their lethal three-point shooting. Against Utah, the Kings drained 22 of 44 attempts from beyond the arc, with Doug McDermott and Kevin Huerter each contributing six long-range shots off the bench.

However, Brown is quick to emphasize defense as the cornerstone of their recent success. “I hope the story isn’t about making threes,” he noted. “Our guys did a hell of a job defensively for 48 minutes, and whether you make threes or miss threes, if you bring an effort like that, especially on the defensive end of the floor, you’re going to find a way to win.”

Pelicans Struggling to Regain Their Defensive Edge

While the Kings are flying high, the Pelicans are facing a rough patch. New Orleans has allowed an average of 122 points over their last four games, losing three of those contests. They’ve dropped 11 of their past 12 games, with defensive lapses being the primary culprit.

“We’ve got to guard the ball better,” said Pelicans coach Willie Green. “We’ve got to keep teams out of our paint. We’ve got to do better in transition. We haven’t been good in those areas.”

Green is using an unusual break in the schedule, thanks to the NBA Cup, to focus on rebuilding fundamentals. “It’s almost like a training camp for us,” he explained. “We had two high-level, detailed practices. It allows you to take a step back and look at some of our concepts that we’re doing well and areas that we can improve in.”

A Tale of Two Three-Point Philosophies

The Kings’ three-point success has been undeniable, but Brown emphasizes that it’s about execution rather than reliance on shooting. “Touch the paint and spray it … and if you’re open, shoot it,” he said, highlighting the team’s disciplined approach.

Meanwhile, Green is encouraging the Pelicans to embrace long-range shooting more. Their 13-of-38 performance from beyond the arc in a 121-116 loss to San Antonio was a step in the right direction. “Closer,” Green said of the team’s progress toward his goal of taking 40 quality threes per game.

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Trey Murphy III stood out in that contest, hitting four three-pointers and finishing with 25 points.

What to Expect on Thursday Night

Both teams are coming off three days of rest, giving them time to recalibrate and refine their strategies. Green sees this break as an opportunity to sharpen his team’s focus and address weaknesses. “It’s great for us in the sense that we got a day off to fill our cup, rest, recover,” he said. “We’re trying to pick areas to work on and improve.”

The Kings, on the other hand, are looking to maintain their offensive rhythm while doubling down on defense.

New Orleans dominated Sacramento in all five meetings last season, but with the Kings firing on all cylinders and the Pelicans struggling to find their footing, this season’s series is shaping up to be a much different story. Thursday’s game is just the first of four matchups between these teams, with three more slated for February.

With both teams boasting unique strengths, this showdown promises an exciting clash of styles, making it a must-watch for fans.