The Kings have been without Monk and Heurter for a while now, but they seem to have made the adjustments, focusing on Fox and Sabonis in leading the team. This team has lost their last five games against the Pelicans, and more importantly, did not cover any of those games against New Orleans. On the road, the Kings have only covered one in five of their last games against the Pelicans in New Orleans. They also struggled against opponents in the Southwest Division as they did not cover any of their last 8 matches versus opponents. They also struggle to play defense and that will be an issue against the Pelicans. The Kings are also 1-3 against the spread this season off an upset win over a division rival as an underdog, and off a win by 10 points or more over a division rival, they are 1-5 against the spread this season. The Kings are also 4-12 against the spread this season after allowing 105 points or less. On the flip side, the Pelicans are without Zion and most would consider that alarming, however, in their last head to head game against the Kings, Zion did not play and they beat a fully healthy Sacramento team, 129-93. This team is also shooting better from the 2 and their field goal percentage in general is a little higher than the Kings, and they are better at the charity stripe as well. Sacramento struggles in the paint to get points and they are not great at blocking shots and protecting the rim. The Pelicans have dominated this team by winning and covering their five games this season against Sacramento. New Orleans are a young feisty team and they play well at home and are 20-10 against the spread as the underdog this season. The Pelicans being at home should help their cause in this game, despite losing their last few games at home. There have been plenty of games this season where the team without their star player step up in the next game to win it outright. This game will be a circle the wagons game for New Orleans as they rise up to the occasion in this spot and continue their domination over this Kings team.

Best bet: take New Orleans and the points.