Are Kings Ready To Rise?
The defending champion Golden State Warriors looked like they were in a prime position to close out the Sacramento Kings on Friday. They were up 3-2 in the series and were a sizable home favorite.
Many who bet online figured that the champs would take care of business at home – a place where they were 33-8 – and the young Kings would use this as a building block for next season.
Instead, the Kings not only won but dominated the Warriors and are now favored to win Game 7 and advance. Are the Kings ready to rise and close out the champs?
Warriors Must Overcome Road Woes
All season, the Warriors fought uphill to climb up the standings because they struggled on the road. While they were among the league’s best home teams, they were also among the league’s worst on the road.
If you’re looking at the NBA odds, note that the Warrior’s 11 road wins were the fourth-fewest in the league. They seemingly got over the hump when they picked up a road win in Game 4 in Sacramento but now they have to do it again.
One concern with the Warriors is are they out of gas? They have been faced with injuries and locker room problems and off-court challenges throughout the season. They’re also coming off a championship. They simply don’t look as hungry or as competent.
For the Warriors to win in this spot, the key will be Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins. We know what Steph Curry can do and Klay Thompson will contribute, but Poole and Wiggins have to step up.
Poole is averaging 9.3 points per game in the Warriors’ three losses in this series and 16 in the wins. Wiggins has about a three-point difference in the wins versus losses. If they step up, the Warriors can get the job done here.
Kings Balance, Depth Leading The Way
Many figured this first-round series would be a learning experience for the young Kings – maybe a stepping stone to bigger and better things next year. This team has shown that they still have more to achieve this postseason – regardless of what the expectations are or were.
One of the reasons why they’ve been a surprise in the sportsbook this series is because they have a lot of young talent that’s really working well together right now. De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis are the core but a number of other players are stepping up.
In Game 6, it was Malik Monk who emerged as the leading, pouring in 28 points with seven rebounds and four assists. Head coach Mike Brown challenged the team to play faster and do more in transition, and it worked.
The Warriors just look like they don’t have the legs to keep up when the Kings get out and run. If Sacramento sticks to their identity of playing quality defense and getting out and running when they get the stops, they’ll be in great shape.
They have averaged 119.3 in their three wins in this series and 112.7 in the losses.
Warriors vs Kings Game Injuries
Warriors vs Kings Head-to-Head
The postseason series is tied at 3-3 but the Warriors did have the edge in the regular season matchups, taking three of four. The teams look different at this point, so it’s hard to rely on the previous matchups for betting intel for Sunday’s contest.
Warriors vs Kings Game Information
- Game: Warriors (44-38) vs Kings (48-34)
- Location: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
- Day/Time: Sunday, 3:30 p.m. ET
- Warriors vs Kings Stream: NBA Game Pass
Warriors vs Kings Betting Lines
Warriors vs Kings Picks & Prediction
The Warriors blew it and that’s going to stick with them. Meanwhile, the Kings now have an opportunity to close this out and move on to the second round – something the franchise hasn’t done since 2004.
The Warriors have been a bad road team all season long. Thompson doesn’t look quite right, Poole and Wiggins are not as consistent as they were last season and their defense just isn’t as effective.
You might want to watch this game and do some NBA live betting after you see how the teams are responding early on. However, if you’re looking at pre-match betting, the Kings are the best choice for your NBA picks.
Warriors vs Kings Trends
Warriors vs Kings Edge
Warriors vs Kings Results
Warriors vs Kings Game Summary
Kings vs Warriors Previous Game (Apr 28, 2023)
Just when bettors started to lose faith in the Golden State Warriors, they won three on the bounce and now they look to wrap up the series 4-2 against the Sacramento Kings on Friday.
NBA betting markets are now respecting the Warriors at -7½, so they’re expected to win at Chase Center and progress to the next round.
