Knicks vs Kings prediction NBA · Friday, January 8
At a glance
The Sacramento Kings (0-4) host the New York Knicks (2-3) on Friday, January 8 at 10:00 PM ET at Golden 1 Center in NBA action. The Basketlog model gives the Knicks a 90% chance to win and projects a 121-105 score (Knicks – Kings), about 225 total points. This season, the Kings are 0-2 at home and the Knicks are 1-1 on the road. Since the start of the season: 0-4 for the Kings and 2-3 for the Knicks (current streaks: Kings L4, Knicks W2). A close game (margin of 5 points or fewer) happens in only 14% of cases according to the model. Fatigue: the Kings played the night before (back-to-back). Reported injuries: Jose Alvarado (Knicks), Dylan Cardwell (Kings), Maxime Raynaud (Kings), Keegan Murray (Kings) and Ben Simmons (Kings). Prediction confidence: medium.
The analysis Model
The Knicks start with a clear edge. The model projects Kings 105 – 121 Knicks, a margin of about 16.0 points in favor of the Knicks and a total around 225 points. Expect a game at a standard NBA pace. The Kings played yesterday: fatigue often shows in the fourth quarter. The Kings will be without Dylan Cardwell or Maxime Raynaud (and 2 others). The Knicks will be without Jose Alvarado. Early season: the numbers still lean heavily on last season, so confidence stays cautious.
- The overall strength gap (-10.1 vs +3.8 pts/game) is the main factor.
- The Kings need to win the pace battle to stay in the game.
- The Knicks' offense (114.5 pts/game) is the more productive of the two.
- The Knicks' defense allows clearly fewer points (110.0 pts/game).
What tips the balance
Scenarios
Stat comparison Current season
NYSAC
Players to watch
Knicks
Jalen BrunsonG · #1125.8pts / game
Tyler KolekG · #137.0assists
Karl-Anthony TownsC · #3213.8reboundsKings
Zach LaVineG · #827.2pts / game
Domantas SabonisF · #117.2assistsDomantas SabonisF · #1116.5reboundsRecent form
NY
106-100L
107-103L
111-102W
111-97W
133-127SAC
126-97L
121-96L
128-120L
123-112L130-103
NY
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
| NY | SAC | |
|---|---|---|
| 2-3 | Record | 0-4 |
| 114.5 | Points scored / game | 110.2 |
| 110.0 | Points allowed / game | 122.1 |
| +3.8 | Adjusted margin / game | -10.1 |
| W2 | Current streak | L4 |
| 2-3 | Last 10 games | 0-4 |
| 1-1 road | Home / road record | 0-2 home |
| 53-29 (+6.3) | Last season | 22-60 (-10.0) |
| No | Played yesterday | Yes |
Injury report Knicks
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.