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When the NBA first delivered the idea of the play-in, there were certainly some who were skeptical about the whole thing, but it has proven to be a very good idea

2024 NBA Play In Tournament | MyBookie NBA

While the top 6 teams in each conference wait for the playoffs to begin, we still have 4 teams alive in the play-in. That number will be cut in half over the next couple of days, after which we will know exactly what Round 1 looks like. For the purposes of this piece, we are going to be looking at the Western Conference play-in, with the Kings and Pelicans playing for the final spot in the postseason. The LA Lakers have already won their way in, but who will join them? The bookies see this as a close one, with the Kings currently favored by just 1 point. The O/U for this one is set at 212 ½. Let’s take a closer look at this game and make some NBA betting predictions.

Sacramento Kings at New Orleans Pelicans Game Info

When: Friday, April 19 at 9:30 PM EST
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans
TV: TNT

Why bet on the Sacramento Kings

There was a period of time when the Kings looked to be a pretty safe bet to finish in the top 6, but they crashed hard coming down the stretch, falling all the way down to the #9 seed in the West. Dropping that far means having to win a pair of games to get into the playoffs proper, and they are off to a good start in that quest. They never looked to be in any real danger in the opening game of the play-in, cruising past the Golden State Warriors with a very comfortable 118-94 win. They have now won 2 in a row, and while that is a modest streak, it is good for a team that had previously lost 5 of 6. Furthermore, they have also covered the spread in each of their last 3 games. One a more negative note, the Kings lost all 5 games against the Pelicans this season and are 2-8 against them in their last 10 meetings.

Kings Odds to Win
Las Vegas NBA Odds to Win in the Play In Tournament

Why bet on the New Orleans Pelicans

The benefit of finishing in the #7 or #8 seed in the conference is that those teams get 2 shots at making the playoffs. The Pelicans finished in the #8 spot, so they get another crack at heading into the postseason after suffering a 110-106 loss at the hands of the LA Lakers. There is, of course, pressure on every team in this play-in tournament, but in this game, I think most of the pressure is on the Pelicans. They need to quickly brush off that loss and try to win another huge game. Home court advantage is good, but at 21-19 on the season, it’s not exactly as though the Pelicans have been dominant in their own building. They are 3-7 ATS over their last 10 games, but they have covered in 8 of their last 10 against the Kings.

Pelicans Odds to Wine
Las Vegas NBA Odds to Win in the Play In Tournament

Expert Pick and Score Prediction

While the Kings may be in as a slight favorite in this one, it is impossible not to notice that fact that they lost 5 in a row to the Pelicans in the regular season. That alone has me leaning toward New Orleans.

Sacramento Kings 111, New Orleans Pelicans 115