Written by :
Published on :
Carrie Stroup here with your Knicks vs. Kings Betting Line. Sacramento -6, Total: 209
NEW YORK KNICKS (10-13) at SACRAMENTO KINGS (8-15)
Sacramento -6, Total: 209
The struggling Knicks will be looking to avoid a fourth straight loss when they face the Kings on Thursday night.
New York was absolutely embarrassed in a 106-85 loss at Utah on Wednesday. The Knicks shot just 39.7% from the field and were even worse defensively, allowing the Jazz to shoot 48.7%. The Knicks have been outrebounded in four straight games and this team will need to come out with a lot more energy against the Kings on Thursday.
Sacramento beat that same Utah team in its most recent game, winning 114-106 as three-point home favorites against the Jazz on Tuesday. The Kings have won two straight games ATS and should be feeling confident after shooting 55.8% against Utah last game.
Over the past three seasons, Sacramento has gotten the best of New York. The Kings are 3-1 SU and 2-1-1 ATS in their four meetings and another thing worth noting is that all four games have gone Over the total. One thing favoring the Knicks in this game is the fact that Sacramento is just 3-14 ATS in December games over the past two seasons. New York, however, is 0-10 ATS when playing its fifth game in seven days over the past two seasons.
The Knicks are not playing well recently and SF Carmelo Anthony (21.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.0 SPG) has been shooting the ball miserably for the team. Over the past five games, Anthony is averaging 17.4 PPG on 36.3% shooting from the field and 32.1% shooting from the outside. His inefficiency is killing the team and he must start choosing his spots better soon.
PF Kristaps Porzingis (14.2 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 1.8 BPG) must also be better for the Knicks, as he is coming off of his worst game as a pro. The phenom had just four points and three boards on 2-for-8 shooting from the field in 13 minutes against Utah on Wednesday. Derek Fisher chose to bench the rookie and he will need to respond by playing a lot better against this Sacramento team.
One thing that bodes well for the Knicks is the play of PG Jose Calderon (7.9 PPG, 3.7 APG, 2.8 RPG, 1.0 SPG) recently. Calderon is shooting the ball very well lately, hitting 57.7% of his shots from the field and 41.7% from behind the arc over the past five games. Calderon does a nice job of getting his teammates the ball in their comfort spots, and it’s a major plus that he is hitting his spot up opportunities. He will need to hold his own against Rajon Rondo on Thursday.
The Kings are coming off of a win and it’s no coincidence that they were able to earn a victory on the same night C DeMarcus Cousins (25.1 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.3 BPG) broke out of his slump. Cousins had scored 16 or fewer points in three straight games heading into Tuesday and ended up busting out for 23 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and a steal in 37 minutes of action. He was 8-for-14 from the field and added a three as well. The Knicks do not have anybody that will be able to physically match up with the Kings’ big man, so Cousins will need to be extremely aggressive on Thursday.
PG Rajon Rondo (12.5 PPG, 11.0 APG, 6.8 RPG, 1.9 SPG) should also have a good night ahead of him with Jose Calderon guarding him. Calderon is not quick enough to stick with Rondo, who is averaging 12.3 PPG and 14.0 APG over the past three contests. He will be looking to get into the lane often to finish around the rim or set up his teammates.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
