The Denver Nuggets have finally strung together back-to-back wins for the first time in over a month after having lost seven of their previous 11.
Tonight, they travel to Sacramento to take on the Kings and my Nuggets vs. Kings predictions believe Denver will find themselves right back in the loss column.
Join me as I break down my favorite NBA picks for Monday, December 16.
Nuggets vs Kings prediction
My best bet
Kings moneyline (-120 at bet365)
My analysis
Things have not been pretty for either the Denver Nuggets or Sacramento Kings since mid-November. Since November 15th Denver has gone 6-7 and the Kings have gone 6-8, and that is with two- and three-game winning streaks respectively as they head into tonight's matchup.
On top of having similar records and similar recent forms, the underlying metrics have also been nearly identical. The Kings have ranked 12th in net rating during that time to the Nuggets' 13th.
But Sacramento's full profile is a bit more impressive. They have the edge on both sides of the ball, ranking fifth in offensive rating to Denver's 13th and ranking 14th in defensive rating to the Nuggets' 18th.
They have taken better care of the rock (sixth vs 13th), have been better on the glass (eighth vs 17th), and have defended the paint more effectively (second vs 27th) during that time.
Yet despite having played better for the last month and despite that they get to play from their home court tonight, the Kings find themselves at near-even on the moneyline — a fantastic value to capitalize on.
Nuggets vs Kings same-game parlay
Kings moneyline
Jamal Murray Under 18.5 points
Nikola Jokic Under 28.5 points
From a positional level, the Kings should really excel at point guard. Their 21.1 points allowed to the position per game is the third-fewest this year, which could be a quieter night for Jamal Murray who is at less than 100% with hamstring inflammation.
But it's not just Murray who may struggle, as Nikola Jokic also has a tall task tonight. Sacramento has allowed just 19.7 points to opposing centers as well, which ranks fourth on the year.
And Jokic has struggled against Domantas Sabonis and the Kings' big men, failing to hit tonight's total of 28.5 points in three straight games against the Kings.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Nuggets vs Kings odds
Nuggets vs Kings live odds
Nuggets vs Kings opening odds
- Spread: Denver +1 | Sacramento -1
- Moneyline: Denver -105 | Sacramento -108
- Over/Under: Over 237 | Under 237
Odds courtesy of bet365
Nuggets vs Kings spread and Over/Under analysis
- Denver has gone just 9-13-1 against the spread this year, good for ninth-worst in the league in terms of cover rate.
- The Kings have been worse against the spread, having gone 10-15-1 - good for the seventh-worst rate.
- Sacramento has been better as home favorites, however, at 4-5-1
- The Nuggets are the league's best Over team at 15-8, while the Kings are dead even at 13-13
Nuggets vs Kings trend
The Sacramento Kings have covered the 1H Spread in 20 of their last 32 games at home (+7.37 Units / 20% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Nuggets vs. Kings.
How to watch Nuggets vs Kings
| Location: | Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA |
| Date: | Monday, 12-16-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ALT, NBCSCA |
Nuggets vs Kings latest injuries
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