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Sacramento Kings vs Los Angeles Lakers December 19th 2024
At 10:00 ET, the Sacramento Kings (-186) will host the Los Angeles Lakers (+156) in a Western Pacific Division matchup. The Kings are favored by 4.5 points, and the over/under line is set at 229.5.
Through 26 games, the Lakers are 14-12 and sit 10th in the Western Conference, while the Kings are 13-14 and 12th in the West.
Lakers vs. Kings Key Information
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: Los Angeles Lakers at Sacramento Kings
- Where: Sacramento at Golden 1 Center
- Date: Thursday, December 19th
- Betting Odds SAC -4.5, LAL +156 | SAC -186 O/U 229.5
The Lakers Can Win If…
The Lakers improved to 14-12 on the season with a 116-110 win over the Grizzlies on Sunday. Playing at home, Los Angeles entered the game as +2.5 point underdogs but managed to cover the spread with the victory. The total points for the game ended at 226, falling short of the 235-point O/U line.
A key moment in the game was a 10-0 run by the Lakers, which extended their lead from 36-29 to 46-29. Although Memphis outscored the Lakers 31-22 in the 3rd quarter and 33-30 in the 4th, Los Angeles held on for the win after entering the final quarter with an 86-77 lead.
Anthony Davis dominated the Grizzlies on Sunday, scoring 40 points and grabbing 16 rebounds, shooting 68.2% from the field in the Lakers’ 116-110 win. He was particularly effective in the 1st and 4th quarters, scoring 12 points in each.
Austin Reaves added 19 points, while LeBron James contributed 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists, hitting 3 threes at a 50% rate. The Lakers struggled from beyond the arc, making just 10 threes at 29.4%, and shot 47.6% overall.
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The Lakers’ defense was strong in the 1st quarter, holding the Grizzlies to just 20 points. They allowed 26 points in the 2nd quarter, but Memphis picked up the pace in the 3rd and 4th, scoring 31 and 33 points, respectively. Overall, the Lakers gave up 110 points but held the Grizzlies to 39% shooting from the field.
From beyond the arc, the Lakers limited the Grizzlies to 9 made threes on 32% shooting. Memphis also went to the free-throw line 30 times, making 25. The Lakers grabbed 34 defensive rebounds but allowed 17 offensive boards. They also recorded 10 steals and 7 blocks.
- Although Los Angeles has a straight up record of 4-6 in their last ten road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 3-7. The team averaged 105 points per game in these games.
- In their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Lakers have a straight up record of 1-9 and an ATS mark of 3-7.
- Over their last five games, the Lakers have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.
The Kings Can Win If…
The Kings fell to 13-14 on the season after a 130-129 home loss to the Nuggets on Monday. Sacramento, favored by 1.5 points, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The game’s total score of 259 points exceeded the over/under line of 237.5 by 21.5 points.
Denver’s 13-0 run early in the game shifted momentum, but Sacramento responded by outscoring the Nuggets 47-34 in the 2nd quarter and 35-21 in the 3rd. Despite leading 103-96 going into the 4th, the Kings were outscored 34-26 in the final quarter.
De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 29 points and 7 assists in their 130-129 loss to the Nuggets, scoring 10 points in the 4th quarter. Domantas Sabonis contributed 28 points and 14 rebounds, shooting 60% from the field.
Malik Monk added 25 points and 10 assists, with 15 of his points coming in the 3rd quarter. The Kings shot 48% from the field, hitting 12 threes at a 34.3% rate.
The Kings struggled defensively in the 1st and 2nd quarters, giving up 41 and 34 points, respectively, but tightened up in the 3rd, allowing just 21 points. However, they couldn’t maintain that momentum in the 4th, where they again gave up 34 points, leading to a 130-129 loss to the Nuggets. Overall, Sacramento allowed Denver to shoot 50% from the field.
On the bright side, the Kings limited the Nuggets to just 10 made threes on 35% shooting from beyond the arc. Sacramento also sent Denver to the line 24 times, where they made 18 free throws. The Kings finished with 31 defensive rebounds but allowed 15 offensive boards, while also recording 10 steals and 9 blocks.
- Although Sacramento has a straight up record of 3-2 in their last five home games, they have not held up as well vs. the spread going 2-3. The team averaged 116 points per game in these games.
- Through their last three matchups as the betting favorite, the Kings have a good straight up record, but their ATS mark is just 1-2.
- In their last five games, the Kings have an over/under record of 5-0 and are 2-3 vs. the spread.
The Lean
The Kings is our pick to not only win with a projected score of 132-123. But we also favor them to cover the spread. Our bet is on the Kings at -4.5.
Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 229.5, and our model predicts the Lakers and Kings to score a combined 255 points. We recommend betting on the over.
LeBron James Questionable as Lakers Prepare for Rival Kings
The Los Angeles Lakers will face the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night, with both teams eyeing a crucial victory in the competitive Western Conference standings. However, the Lakers’ plans might hinge on the availability of LeBron James, who is listed as questionable for the game.
LeBron’s Status in Question
James returned to action Sunday after missing two games due to an ailing left foot. In a 116-110 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, the 39-year-old star contributed 18 points, eight assists, and eight rebounds in 34 minutes.
James, less than two weeks from his 40th birthday, acknowledged that the eight-day break helped his recovery but emphasized the importance of managing his minutes moving forward. Lakers coach JJ Redick outlined a new approach for James:
“Not necessarily less minutes, but shorter runs so that he’s not getting gassed, and then quicker segments on the bench and then he’s back in,” Redick explained. “If he’s feeling well and feeling good, then he should play. But we obviously want to manage that as best we can.”
Lakers’ Momentum and Playoff Race
The Lakers enter Thursday’s contest as part of a crowded race for sixth place in the Western Conference. Despite losing eight of their last 12 games, Los Angeles holds the final play-in position.
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The Lakers will look to Anthony Davis to anchor their effort against Sacramento. Davis has been a consistent force in the paint and will be pivotal against a Kings team that has struggled defensively around the rim.
In their last meeting with Sacramento in October, James recorded a triple-double, highlighting the stakes of this budding rivalry. Thursday’s game marks the first of a two-game set, with the teams meeting again on Saturday in Sacramento.
Kings Seek Defensive Improvements
The Kings (11-13) are also battling for positioning in the Western Conference, trailing the Lakers by two games. They missed a golden opportunity to close the gap on Monday, falling 130-129 to the Denver Nuggets.
Kings coach Mike Brown expressed frustration with his team’s defensive lapses, particularly their interior play:
“We gave up 76 points in the paint. This is where our team needs to grow. Until our guys lock into the details, we’re going to be a good team, but we’re not going to be where we need to go.”
Sacramento hopes to address those issues against a Lakers squad led by the dominant Davis.
Injury Concerns for Sacramento
The Kings’ injury report is another source of uncertainty. Keegan Murray (ankle), Kevin Huerter (shoulder), and Domantas Sabonis (back) are all listed as questionable for Thursday’s game.
In their absence, Doug McDermott stepped up with 16 points in a rare start against Denver. His performance provides a silver lining for Sacramento as they navigate through injuries.
Key Matchups
LeBron James/Anthony Davis vs. Kings’ Frontcourt
If James plays, his combination of playmaking and scoring, alongside Davis’ interior dominance, will test Sacramento’s defensive discipline. The Kings must address their struggles in the paint to have a chance.
Domantas Sabonis vs. Anthony Davis
If healthy, Sabonis will face the challenge of containing Davis while contributing offensively. His ability to distribute from the post could help unlock Sacramento’s offense against the Lakers’ defense.
Kings’ Role Players vs. Lakers’ Depth
With potential absences among their starters, Sacramento’s bench players like McDermott and Malik Monk must step up. For the Lakers, Austin Reaves and other role players will need to provide consistent scoring and defensive effort.
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What’s at Stake
For the Lakers, a win would help solidify their spot in the play-in race and build momentum heading into the second game of the set.
For the Kings, a victory would bring them closer to breaking into the crowded playoff picture, while addressing their defensive concerns against a formidable opponent.
The Bottom Line
Both teams are navigating injuries and inconsistencies as they prepare for this pivotal matchup. The Lakers will lean on their star power, while the Kings will look to shore up their defense and capitalize on home-court advantage.
Will LeBron James suit up to lead Los Angeles, or will the Kings seize the opportunity to narrow the gap in the standings? Thursday night’s game is poised to deliver high-stakes drama between two Western Conference rivals.
