Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Sacramento Kings Preview
Where: Golden 1 Center – Sacramento, CA
When: Friday, January 13, 2017 – 10:30 PM ET
Line: Cleveland Cavaliers (-6.5) at Sacramento Kings (+6.5); total: 211.0 – view all NBA lines
NBA News & Predictions
- 2017 NBA Draft Expert Picks and Predictions
- 2017 NBA Draft Sleepers
- 2017-18 NBA Championship Odds Update
Betting on the Cleveland Cavaliers (28-10)
Welp, who saw that coming? The Cavaliers have now dropped back-to-back games against teams with losing records, while also shooting just 35.3 percent from the field. In the latest defeat, they got manhandled by the Blazers, 100-86, a team that was supposed to be one of the worst defensive squads in the league. The defending champs are just 5-4 in their last nine games.
There’s still a lot of time to shake it up and recover, though. Despite the struggles, the Cavs are still a couple of games ahead against the second place Raptors.
As they move forward, the offense should be able to perform better. Lebron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love are still out there combining for over 60-plus points every night, and the team is still fourth in the league in scoring (109.1 PPG) and offensive efficiency.
New acquisition Kyle Korver is yet to make an impact, as he is only 2-for-10 (0-for-5 on threes) in the 43 total minutes he has played for the Cavs, but expect the veteran sharpshooter to get his rhythm soon.
Defensively, they can be quite decent when they are on. They are currently 11th overall in points allowed and defensive efficiency.
A LeBron James-led team is 8-4 (7-5 ATS) in 12 total games against the Kings on the road.
Betting on the Sacramento Kings (16-22)
The Kings snapped their three-game skid on Tuesday, beating the Pistons, 100-94. DeMarcus Cousins (28 PPG, 10 RPG, 3.9 APG), as usual, led the way with 24 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists, along with splashing four treys.
Cousins and company are still out of the playoff picture as the ninth seed in the West, and must play at a much-higher level as the season goes along. The All-Star big man should be joined by Rudy Gay (18.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG) and Darren Collison (12.5 PPG, 4.2 APG) in providing offense, although guys like Ty Lawson, Matt Barnes, Garrett Temple, Arron Afflalo, and Anthony Tolliver have all showed that they can give solid production when called upon, as all have scored 15 or more points multiple times this season.
The team isn’t boasting great stats offensively and defensively – 23rd in scoring, 17th in offense, 16th in points allowed, and 23rd in defense – but considering they are coming off a win and they are facing a reeling Cavs team, there’s room to believe they can pull out another W Friday night.
Writer’s Prediction
The Cavaliers (-6.5) will put an end to their losing streak, 114-106.
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