Pelicans vs Kings prediction NBA · Sunday, December 13
At a glance
The Sacramento Kings (0-4) host the New Orleans Pelicans (0-4) on Sunday, December 13 at 9:00 PM ET at Golden 1 Center in NBA action. The Basketlog model gives the Pelicans a 65% chance to win and projects a 118-114 score (Pelicans – Kings), about 232 total points. This season, the Kings are 0-2 at home and the Pelicans are 0-2 on the road. Since the start of the season: 0-4 for the Kings and 0-4 for the Pelicans (current streaks: Kings L4, Pelicans L4). A close game (margin of 5 points or fewer) happens in only 29% of cases according to the model. Reported injuries: Dejounte Murray (Pelicans), Jordan Poole (Pelicans), Yves Missi (Pelicans), Dylan Cardwell (Kings), Maxime Raynaud (Kings) and Keegan Murray (Kings)…. Prediction confidence: medium.
The analysis Model
Slight edge to the Pelicans, but the Kings have what it takes to keep it close. The model projects Kings 114 – 118 Pelicans, a margin of about 4.7 points in favor of the Pelicans and a total around 232 points. Expect a game at a standard NBA pace. The Kings will be without Dylan Cardwell or Maxime Raynaud (and 2 others). The Pelicans will be without Dejounte Murray or Jordan Poole (and 1 other). Early season: the numbers still lean heavily on last season, so confidence stays cautious.
- The overall strength gap (-10.1 vs -4.1 pts/game) is the main factor.
- The Kings need to win the pace battle to stay in the game.
- The Pelicans' offense (115.7 pts/game) is the more productive of the two.
What tips the balance
Scenarios
Stat comparison Current season
NOSAC
Players to watch
Pelicans
Zion WilliamsonF · #121.8pts / game
Dejounte MurrayG · #56.0assists
Derik QueenC · #229.2reboundsKings
Zach LaVineG · #827.2pts / game
Domantas SabonisF · #117.2assistsDomantas SabonisF · #1116.5reboundsRecent form
NO
107-106L
123-120L
120-119L
141-135 OTL104-91SAC
126-97L
121-96L
128-120L
123-112L130-103Head-to-head
4 meetings scheduled this season.
SAC
Second opinion
Our model compared with ESPN's public model (BPI). When they agree, the prediction is more solid.
✓ Both models pick the same favorite.
Team comparison
| NO | SAC | |
|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | Record | 0-4 |
| 115.7 | Points scored / game | 110.2 |
| 120.5 | Points allowed / game | 122.1 |
| -4.1 | Adjusted margin / game | -10.1 |
| L4 | Current streak | L4 |
| 0-4 | Last 10 games | 0-4 |
| 0-2 road | Home / road record | 0-2 home |
| 26-56 (-4.5) | Last season | 22-60 (-10.0) |
| No | Played yesterday | No |
Injury report Pelicans
Injury report Kings
Probabilities estimated by the Basketlog model from available public data; early in the season they rely heavily on last season. They are neither a certainty nor betting advice.