Sacramento Kings vs LA Clippers Predictions, Odds, Picks

• The Sacramento Kings begin the first leg of a home-and-home with the LA Clippers.
• The LA Clippers look to bounce back from an embarrassing loss in their last game.
• The Clippers won last year’s season series with the Kings, 2-1.

Kings vs Clippers Odds

Odds provided by Caesars Sportsbook.

Odds provided by Caesars Sportsbook.

Sacramento Kings vs LA Clippers Predictions and Picks

The Sacramento Kings are 2-2 since Alvin Gentry took over the head coaching role. While they’ve shown some subtle improvements under his tutelage, the Clippers’ stifling perimeter defense should hold off the Kings.

Pick:

LA Clippers def. Sacramento Kings (-320)

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Injury Report

How Can the Kings Beat the Clippers?

The Sacramento Kings are likely to enter this game against the Clippers without some crucial paint presence. Without them, they’ll need to rely on their guard play to win them the day.

In what was a blowout loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, the Kings struggled to score. Sacramento’s starting backcourt of Fox and Haliburton combined to shoot 5 of 16 from the field. Their backups Mitchell and Hield only shot 10 of 29 from the field.

They’ll have a difficult time penetrating the Clipper’s defense, which ranks second in the league. Even if they get past George and Jackson on the perimeter, they’ll still have Zubac and Ibaka waiting for them at the rim.

Kings Key Player: (G) Terence Davis

Terence Davis side-steps and nails the three pic.twitter.com/49c9QcZBtg

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) November 28, 2021

The Sacramento Kings were run out of the building in their last game, a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. If there was one bright spot, it was the play of guard Terence Davis.

The Kings shot poorly across the board, but Davis was one of the few to find some offensive looks. He posted 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 17 minutes of play.

We’re not saying that Davis should become the go-to option for the Kings. But the third-year guard is more than capable on both ends of the court. As teams key in on Fox and Haliburton, Davis must convert opportunities to keep Sacramento competitive.

How Can the Clippers Beat the Kings?

The LA Clippers are coming off of a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. If they can learn something from their last match, it is that they can’t take it easy on supposedly poor shooting teams.

The Clippers allowed the Pelicans to hit 14 of their 35 three-point field goal attempts, although half of those makes came from center Jonas Valanciunas. While the Kings don’t have the same shooting threat from the pivot position, they have more than a few capable shooters from the wings.

With the speed of De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton at the point of attack, all eyes will be on Zubac and Ibaka to contain the pick-and-roll. If LA struggles to contain the perimeter, it’ll be another difficult night.

Clippers Key Player: (C) Serge Ibaka

? 13 PTS / 5-7 FG / 3-4 3FG / 6 REB @sergeibaka provided a spark off the bench. pic.twitter.com/WnUVwc7KuJ

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) November 30, 2021

Coming back into the season slowly due to injury, veteran big man Serge Ibaka is key to the Clippers’ playoff runs. In his last game against the Pelicans, Ibaka showed some promise while also showing his weaknesses.

The 2019 NBA Champion Ibaka posted 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist in 25 minutes of play against the Pelicans. While he was efficient offensively, especially from deep, Ibaka continues to be a target on the defensive end due to his foot speed.

Coming up against the speedy Kings, Ibaka must hold his own in defensive situations. Sacramento doesn’t have a true pick-and-pop big man, so Ibaka should have a better platform to show his defensive qualities.

How to Watch Sacramento Kings vs LA Clippers