NBA Picks and Betting Tips: Utah Jazz vs Sacramento Kings

NLB Staff

30.10.2024 00:19

NBA

As the Jazz have shown a mixed bag of talent so far this year, they will play against a potential contender in the Sacramento Kings who have shown a lot of potential early. During their last game, the Jazz lost by 41 points to the Warriors, and their defense couldn’t handle a powerful offense, while Sacramento was in a shootout against a top Lakers squad. The game will be played on October 30th at 6:30 IST in Golden 1 Center, Sacramento. Below are our betting odds, player props, and key injuries to make an accurate prediction.

Key Betting Tips & Predictions

1. Utah Jazz vs Sacramento Kings Moneyline Pick

As the money line is at -225 for the Kings during their matchup against the Kings, they will face a Jazz team that is really on a mission to get the first overall pick. Not having as much talent as Sacramento, Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler determine the fate of how far this team will go. Given that the Jazz average 105 points per game and the Kings have put in 126 per night, both defenses will have very opposite nights based on Utah only having Lauri and Keyonte George as true scorers. This is compared to De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and Demar Derozan, who will create three-way scoring plays that many Jazz defenders like John Collins or Sexton can’t stop upfront or in the center. With the Jazz not beating the Kings away since 2022 and losing 6 of 7 combined, the money line for the Kings will do wonders as they should dominate this game from the start.

2. Utah Jazz vs Sacramento Kings Point Spread Pick

The spread is currently set at -5.5 for the Sacramento Kings as they are heavy favorites in this matchup. Their ability to play both ends of the floor will be as this Kings roster could potentially easily have a blowout in this game towards the end of the 4th quarter. Although Sacramento is 0-2 against the spread this season so far, they will change that as the Jazz have a loss and tie against the spread. As the Kings have managed to beat 4 times in a row, they are 4-0 in those matchups ATS, while the Jazz are 0-4.

3. Utah Jazz vs Sacramento Kings Over/Under Pick (Total Points)

The over/under for this game is 235.5 as both teams have been very solid in finding the basket. With Utah having Lauri Markkanen as their main scorer who can add shots from the perimeter and near hoop, his prowess will take the Jazz to a close competition near the end of this game. As Sacramento just improved more after last season’s statistically fantastic season, their team will increase this scoring total a lot and help it go near 233 points like last time during the regular season. Over their past 8 meetings, both teams have always managed to score over 227 points every single time.

Utah Jazz vs Sacramento Kings Top Player Props

Kevin Heurter Over 9 Points at 1.9: As the Kings 4th main scorer, Walker Kessler will be able to control Domantas Sabonis in the middle forcing him to give the ball out to the shooter on the perimeter. As Huerter is one of the biggest pieces for that, his 40% three-point shooting average has shown that he is impossible to stop on corner shots and one taken on the wing. As one of the guaranteed players to get his shots in when open, there will be a lot of opportunities for that in this game as Fox will be guarded by Keyonte George, and Markannen going to have to focus on Demar Derozan. If Huerter keeps finding his spot, he will be able to have one of the best games as a 3 and defensive guy against the Jazz.

Demar Derozan over 22.5: With the Kings acquiring this new star piece from Chicago over the offseason, Demar has been everything they have asked for averaging 24.5 points per game. As he faces a much weaker defense in the Jazz, Derozan will be getting a lot of looks from Lauri Markkanen early on in the game. Although the Jazz leader will have a height advantage on him, Derozan will move around to create wide-open shots and have mismatches with either Colin Sexton or Patty Mills off the bench. As Keegan Murray has emerged as a scoring threat defenses don’t leave open anymore too, Derozan could end up being open on a couple of threes and layups since Markkanen will go on the block. Given all this, there should be a lot of scoring for Demar in this game and it should exceed the 22.5.

Injury News & Impact

Utah Jazz Injuries: Although the injury of veteran Drew Eubanks, 4 points with 2 rebounds per game, won’t be so huge because Lauri Marrkanen and Walker Kessler do most of the work, their loss of Johnny Juzang due to a thumb injury could be huge. Someone who is averaging 7.2 points per game on 46% shooting, there was clear growth from game to game for him while he kept being one of the Jazz's most efficient three-point shooters. Missing him could cause the Jazz to miss a beat with the Kings' offensive firepower on the other side.

Sacramento Kings Injuries: The Kings are going to be playing without their young back center Orlando Robinson, 2.8 and 2.3 rebounds per game, but his knee injury won’t impact them as much as Domantos Sabonis usually carries their load.

Head-to-Head Trends

Looking at head-to-head matchups between these two teams, Sacramento has won 4 straight games against Utah and in convincing fashion. Never losing by less than 8 points, the Kings have completely dominated this matchup and are 4-0 against the spread during that time. Seeing that we can tell this is a home game that the Kings will have an even bigger advantage in after they were a good home team last season and have beaten the Jazz 3 of 4 times in their home court. During the last 3 matchups, the Kings have not scored fewer than 125 points and haven’t allowed over 114 even once.

Betting Insights & Public Trends

According to the public trends, 52.4% of the betters are backing Sacramento in this matchup against the Jazz.

Final Prediction

As the Utah Jazz enter this game at a 0-2 record, they will have to face one of the deepest rosters in the NBA in Sacramento. Although they kept their first game very competitive, the defensive issues of Walker Kessler showed up in the 2nd game against Golden State. With Domantas Sabonis starting in the middle against Walker Kessler, it will be a really good match-up as both players match up well. But, when the 2nd unit has to come on the floor with Sabonis playing extended minutes, the Jazz will be in a lot of trouble as John Collin's defense hasn’t been what it once was. Given that the backcourt of the Kings includes De’Aaron Fox as their speedster to the rim and a solid shooter in Demar Derozan, it will be tough for Keyonte George to handle them both. As George is going to struggle a lot against Fox itself because he is very inexperienced with that type of speed, keeping Sexton one-on-one with Derozan will help the former Bulls star score a lot of threes and shots from the top. The Jazz could make this game close if Lauri Markannen and Jordan Clarkson continue leading this team’s scoring, but it will be a long stretch with defenders like Malik Monk on the other end.

Our Prediction: The Sacramento Kings Win and cover -9.5, while hitting the over of 225.5 in the game.