On Thursday, Pacific Division rivals LA Lakers and Sacramento throw down in the bubble. The Lakers locked up the top seed in the NBA Western Conference Playoffs last week. The Kings have already been eliminated from the postseason. That doesn’t mean this game isn’t worth checking out, though. Read below for analysis and a free pick when the Lakers and Kings battle in the Orlando bubble so you can bet on their NBA odds!
NBA Los Angeles Lakers vs Sacramento Kings Betting Preview
- When: Thursday, August 13 at 1:30 pm ET
- Where: Disney World Resort, Orlando, FL
- Lakers Vs Kings Live: NBA League Pass
- ATS Odds: TBD
Why bet on the Los Angeles Lakers to cover ATS
Even though Los Angeles has the top seed, they’re playing as if every game matters. Doing so allowed the Lakers to get past the Denver Nuggets 124-121 on Monday. LAL wants to turn the screws this week. Doing so will get them tight for the playoffs, which start next week. LeBron played over 38 minutes in the win against the Nuggets. If LeBron puts in similar minutes on Thursday, the Lakers could win and cover.
Los Angeles Lakers Expected Starting Five
- F – Anthony Davis
- F – LeBron James
- C – JaVale McGee
- G – Kyle Kuzma
- G – Danny Green
Why bet on Sacramento Kings to cover ATS
The Kings have nothing to play for. That doesn’t mean they won’t try. Sacramento had nothing to play for in their last game. They beat the Pelicans 112-106 as a -3 ½ favorite. Sacramento will play to win as long as they’re in the bubble. Expect the Kings to give it their all on Thursday.
Sacramento Kings Expected Starting Five
- F – Harrison Barnes
- F – Nemanja Bjelica
- C – Alex Len
- G – Bogdan Bogdanovic
- G – Cory Joseph
Lakers vs Kings Betting Trends
- Over is 8-of-11 in Kings’ last 11
- Sacramento is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 versus the Lakers
- Kings are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 versus a Western Conference opponent
- Sacramento is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 versus a Pacific Division opponent
- Lakers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 versus a Western Conference opponent
- LAL is 2-4 SU in their last 6 in August
- Lakers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5
- Under is 11-of-16 in Lakers last 16 versus Sacramento
Lakers vs Kings Final Betting Analysis
The Lakers have yet to play a perfect game. Even in the win over the Nuggets, they played just well enough.
That’s got to worry their fans. Los Angeles has struggled at the point position. LeBron appears more comfortable playing at one of the forward spots. The good news? Rajon Rondo returns in late August.
If the Lakers are still around, he should boost the team’s championship chances. Of course, Rondo won’t play on Thursday.
That means we must consider taking the points on the Kings. The Lakers are an awful 1-6 ATS in 7 games in Orlando. LAL didn’t cover against the Nuggets as a -5 ½ favorite.
They’ll likely offer more points than 5 ½ to the Kings. Sacramento is 3-4 ATS in the bubble. Also, if things get tough, the Lakers will pull both AD and LeBron and save them for the playoffs.
Take the points on the Sacramento Kings.
NBA Free Pick: Kings ATS
