Sacramento Kings vs LA Lakers Prediction and Preview | Oct. 26, 2024

The Sacramento Kings look to win their first game of the 2024-25 NBA season when they face the LA Lakers on Saturday. DeMar DeRozan, De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis led Sacramento, which lost its season opener 117-115 to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday.

The Kings hope to take advantage of the Lakers, who will enter the game less than 24 hours after beating the Phoenix Suns 123-116.LeBron James and Co. continue their three-game homestand to open the season.

However, they will play their first back-to-back set after outlasting the Suns on Saturday. The Lakers have not submitted their injury report but Anthony Davis and “King James” are expected to suit up for the team.

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Sacramento Kings vs. LA Lakers Preview, Prediction, Starting lineups, Odds and Betting Tips

The Crypto.Com Arena in downtown Los Angeles will host the showdown between the Kings and the Lakers. Basketball fans can catch the action by subscribing to the NBA League Pass.

Moneyline: Kings (+115) vs. Lakers (-135)

Spread: Kings (+2.5) vs. Lakers (-2.5)

Total (O/U): Kings (o232.5 -110) vs. Lakers (u232.5 -110)

Editor’s Note: The odds could change closer to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.

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Sacramento Kings vs. LA Lakers preview

The Kings played well in DeMar DeRozan’s debut with the team two nights ago. They couldn’t hold on to beat Anthony Edwards’ Minnesota Timberwolves. Sacramento’s offense looked fluid in “Deebo,” giving De’Aaron Fox another elite scorer to help him carry the offense.

Defensively, they can’t afford the same lapses that happened against the Timberwolves. The Kings have to be crisper in their rotations to have a chance of barging into the win column on Saturday.

The LA Lakers couldn’t beat the Kings in four attempts last season. In their first two games, they showed that they’re ready for another shot at beating De’Aaron Fox and Co. LA’s movements, screens, resilience and defense have been impressive from the start of the season. It remains to be seen if they can sustain it on the second night of a back-to-back set.

Anthony Davis has been on a tear in LA’s first two games. But he struggled last season against Domantas Sabonis, so how he fares against the Lithuanian could determine the outcome of the game.

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Sacramento Kings vs. LA Lakers predicted starting lineups

PG: De’Aaron Fox | SG: Kevin Huerter | SF: DeMar DeRozan | PF: Keegan Murray | C: Domantas Sabonis

PG: D’Angelo Russell | SG: Austin Reaves | SF: LeBron James | PF: Rui Hachimura | C: Anthony Davis

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Sacramento Kings vs. LA Lakers betting tips

LeBron James gets a 23.5 (O/U) points prop on Saturday. The four-time MVP has been a facilitator to open this season for the Lakers. Anthony Davis has been the team’s go-to option on offense. The second night of a back-to-back set is also a good reason not to go for the over in his props.

De’Aaron Fox had a rough shooting night against the Timberwolves. He had 15 points on 6-for-14 shooting, including 1-for-4 from deep. The cat-quick point guard could bounce back and get past his 23.5 (O/U) points prop.

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Sacramento Kings vs. LA Lakers prediction

Last season, the Lakers were 8-7 in the backend of consecutive games. James and Davis sometimes struggle when playing less than 24 hours after a previous game. The Kings could take advantage of the schedule to beat the favored home team.