ES 
NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
Prediction 
Odds 
Last Recap 
Game Picks 
Top Handicapper 
Sacramento Kings vs New Orleans Pelicans February 8th 2025
At 10:00 ET, the Sacramento Kings (-276) will host the New Orleans Pelicans (+225) in a Western Conference matchup. The Kings are favored by 7 points, and the over/under line is set at 237.5. NBCS will televise the game, which will be played at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
Sacramento (25-26) is currently 10th in the Western Conference and 4th in the Pacific Division. They have lost two straight games. New Orleans (12-39) is 15th in the Western Conference and 5th in the Southwest Division. They have lost seven straight games.
Who do the experts think has the advantage? Get expert NBA picks now!
Pelicans vs. Kings Key Information
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: New Orleans Pelicans at Sacramento Kings
- Where: Sacramento at Golden 1 Center
- Date: Saturday, February 8th
- Betting Odds SAC -7, NO +225 | SAC -276 O/U 237.5
The Pelicans Can Win If…
The Pelicans fell to 12-39 on the season after a 144-119 road loss to the Nuggets on Wednesday. New Orleans entered the game as +11 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 263, surpassing the pre-game O/U line of 238.
New Orleans kept pace with Denver through the first half, with both teams scoring 36 points in the 1st quarter and 32 in the 2nd. However, a 13-0 run by the Nuggets shifted the momentum, and Denver outscored the Pelicans 45-27 in the 3rd quarter. New Orleans couldn’t mount a comeback, as Denver continued to pull away in the 4th quarter, outscoring the Pelicans 31-24.
In their 144-119 loss to the Nuggets, the Pelicans shot 46.2% from the field and hit 10 threes at a 34.5% rate. Zion Williamson led the way with 28 points, 12 of which came in the 4th quarter, and added 6 rebounds and 4 assists, shooting 57.9% from the floor.
Trey Murphy contributed 25 points and 9 assists, scoring 11 points in the 3rd quarter and hitting 2 threes at 50%. CJ McCollum added 19 points, making 3 threes at 50% and scoring 7 points in the opening quarter. Jordan Hawkins chipped in 15 points, with 10 coming in the 1st quarter.
The Pelicans struggled defensively against the Nuggets, giving up 144 points on 57% shooting. Denver scored 36 points in the 1st quarter and exploded for 45 in the 3rd.
New Orleans allowed 16 threes on 37% shooting and sent the Nuggets to the line 15 times, where they made 14 free throws. The Pelicans recorded 5 steals and 3 blocks.
- When looking at their past ten road matchups, New Orleans has an ATS record of 4-6 while averaging 113 per game. The team went 3-7 overall in these games.
- Looking back on the team’s last five games as the underdog, the Pelicans have a straight up record of 0-5. Their record vs the spread in these games was 1-3-1.
- Over their last five games, the Pelicans have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 1-3-1 vs. the spread.
The Kings Can Win If…
The Kings fell to 25-26 on the season after a 108-102 road loss to the Trail Blazers on Thursday. Sacramento, favored by 1 point, didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total of 210 points was well below the O/U line of 231.
Portland’s 11-0 run was pivotal, as they turned a 77-73 deficit into an 84-77 lead. Sacramento fought back, but the Trail Blazers outscored them 29-25 in the 4th quarter to seal the win.
In their 108-102 loss to the Trail Blazers, the Kings shot 42% from the field and made just 10 three-pointers at a 33.3% clip. DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine each scored 22 points, with DeRozan shooting 56.2% and LaVine hitting 3 threes at 33.3%.
Malik Monk added 21 points, and Keegan Murray chipped in 12, with 6 points in both the 1st and 2nd quarters. DeRozan scored 15 of his points in the 4th quarter, while LaVine added 6 in the final period.
Defensively, the Kings held the Trail Blazers to 108 points on Thursday, giving up 27 points in both the 1st and 2nd quarters, 25 in the 3rd, and 29 in the 4th. Sacramento limited Portland to 43% shooting overall.
The Kings struggled to contain the Trail Blazers from beyond the arc, allowing 16 threes on 40% shooting. Portland also went 14/18 from the free-throw line. Sacramento gave up 10 offensive rebounds but recorded 8 steals and 6 blocks.
- Although Sacramento has a straight up record of 2-3 in their last five home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 2-3. The team averaged 108 points per game in these games.
- Going back to their previous five games as the favorite, Sacramento has an ATS mark of 1-4 while going 2-3 straight up.
- In their last five games, the Kings have an over/under record of 4-1 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.
The Lean
We’re calling a win for the Kings, with a final score of 130-115, and we’re taking them to cover the spread. Our recommendation is to bet on the Kings at -7.
As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 237.5 and our model has the Pelicans and Kings finishing with a combined 245 points. Our pick is to take the over.
Which Team Will Gain Momentum?
Find Out with Expert NBA Analysis!
Pelicans Aim to End Long Skid as They Face Kings
The New Orleans Pelicans hope that newly acquired Bruce Brown and Kelly Olynyk can help end their seven-game losing streak when they face the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night.
Can Brown and Olynyk Make an Immediate Impact?
The Pelicans traded Brandon Ingram to the Toronto Raptors at this week’s deadline in exchange for Brown, Olynyk, and two draft picks. While there was speculation that New Orleans might flip Brown in another deal, reports suggest that the team intends to keep him for the stretch run.
New Orleans has struggled without Ingram, dropping seven straight games, including back-to-back losses in Denver. However, one bright spot has been Trey Murphy III, who has stepped up in Ingram’s absence. Murphy is averaging 24.1 points per game over the last 27 contests while shooting 50.1% from the field and 40.6% from beyond the arc.
“Trey has been showing why he commands a double-team,” Zion Williamson said. “I’m excited to see his growth.”
Murphy had 21 points in the Pelicans’ 111-109 loss to the Kings in their only prior meeting this season.
Kings Searching for Stability After Trade Deadline Moves
Sacramento has also undergone significant changes. The Kings acquired Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls before the deadline, but his arrival has yet to spark immediate success. LaVine improved from 13 points in his Kings debut to 22 in their loss to Portland on Thursday, but Sacramento has now dropped two straight games.
“We’re right there in the hunt,” LaVine said. “These next games are important for us. We have to buckle down and work through some grooves.”
The Kings also added Jonas Valanciunas from Washington, who made his Sacramento debut with six points and five rebounds off the bench. Meanwhile, Jake LaRavia, picked up from Memphis, is expected to be available for Saturday’s game.
Master The Art Of Betting With Tips From The Expert Betting Guide.
Playoff Implications for Both Teams
Sacramento currently holds a play-in spot in the Western Conference, but the standings remain tight. The Kings are just three losses behind the sixth seed, which would secure a guaranteed playoff berth.
“Everyone sees how open it is,” Kings star Domantas Sabonis said. “We’re all super tight with a couple of games separating teams.”
The Pelicans, meanwhile, need a win to halt their slide and stay in the playoff race. With new pieces in place, New Orleans hopes to turn things around before it’s too late.
Can the Pelicans End Their Losing Streak?
Both teams are desperate for a win, making this matchup crucial for their playoff hopes. Will New Orleans’ new additions provide an immediate spark, or will the Kings take advantage of their home-court edge?
