There are six games on the NBA schedule for Saturday, including the Sacramento Kings vs Chicago Bulls. It's the first matchup of the season between the two teams, with the Kings beating the Bulls twice last season. Let's look at the game's preview, prediction, starting lineups and betting tips.
Sacramento remains one of the best teams in the Western Conference despite inconsistent displays in their last 10 games. They are in their sixth game of a seven-game road trip, with an impressive 4-1 record. They end the trip on Monday in Cleveland before heading back home to California.
Meanwhile, the Bulls are ninth in the Eastern Conference. They are coming off a 117-110 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday. They have three days of rest before six more games before the All-Star break.
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Sacramento Kings vs Chicago Bulls preview, prediction, odds and betting tips
The Sacramento Kings vs Chicago Bulls game is on Saturday at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. It starts at 8:00 p.m. EST and will be televised on NBC Sports California and NBC Sports Chicago.
Moneyline: Kings (+105) vs Bulls (-125)
Spread: Kings +1.5 (-105) vs Bulls -1.5 (-115)
Total (O/U): Kings -110 (o229) vs Bulls -110 (u229)
Sacramento Kings vs Chicago Bulls preview
The Sacramento Kings and Chicago Bulls face off for the 169th time since their first matchup on Nov. 5, 1966, when the Kings were known as the Cincinnati Royals. Both teams have 84 wins apiece, with the Kings winning seven of the last 10 since Dec. 10, 2018.
Sacramento has improved in the last couple of seasons, anchored by De'Aaron Fox, one of the best point guards in the NBA. The Bulls, meanwhile, are stuck in the middle with the possibility of contending a few seasons ago to a potential rebuild last summer.
Sacramento Kings vs Chicago Bulls starting lineups
The Sacramento Kings only have one player on their injury report – Sasha Vezenkov, who is dealing with an ankle problem. Coach Mike Brown is expected to use a starting five of De'Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Keegan Murray, Harrison Barnes and Domantas Sabonis.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls will be without Zach LaVine and Patrick Williams. With Coby White listed as questionable, coach Billy Donovan could use a starting lineup of Ayo Dosunmu, Alex Caruso, DeMar DeRozan, Terry Taylor and Nikola Vucevic.
Sacramento Kings vs Chicago Bulls betting tips
De'Aaron Fox has an over/under of 24.5 points against the Chicago Bulls, which is below his season average of 27.1 points. Fox is projected to go over 24.5 points, a safe bet to take. He has scored 25 points or more in three of his last five games.
DeMar DeRozan, meanwhile, is averaging 22.0 points per game this season, which is lower than his over/under of 25.5 points for Saturday's matchup. He will have to score more in the absence of Zach LaVine, but he only scored over 25.5 points once in his last five contests.
Domantas Sabonis is projected to score 19.9 points against the Chicago Bulls. It's lower than his over/under of 20.5 points and his season average of 20.0 points per game. Picking him to go under is the safer bet, as he has only scored 21 points or more once in his last six games.
Sacramento Kings vs Chicago Bulls prediction
The Chicago Bulls are the slight favorites to beat the Sacramento Kings. The Bulls have home-court advantage, as well as three days of rest over the visitors, who are at the tail end of a seven-game road trip.
Oddsmakers predict the Bulls to win the game, cover the spread and the total to go over 229 points.
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