The Denver Nuggets (17-6) and Sacramento Kings (6-18) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 10:00 p.m. EST from Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. The game will broadcast live on NBCS-CA.
The Nuggets are 10.5-point favorites over the Kings on the spread (Nuggets -10.5), with the over/under set at 240.5 total points. Denver is a -485 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Sacramento is +370 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Nuggets vs. Kings predictions and NBA picks for Thursday, December 11.
My Nuggets vs Kings Prediction
- Nuggets vs Kings pick: Under 240.5 (-108)
My Kings vs Nuggets best bet is on the under, with the best price currently available at DraftKings. However, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Nuggets vs Kings Odds
| Nuggets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-10.5 -102 | 240.5 -110o / -110u | -485 |
| Kings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+10.5 -118 | 240.5 -110o / -110u | +370 |
Nuggets vs Kings NBA Preview
Two teams on very different paths meet on Thursday night, as the Sacramento Kings host the Denver Nuggets.
At 17-6, the Nuggets look like a legitimate playoff contender, while the Kings (6-18) could already be open for business to trading away the majority of their roster, except for young prospects Keegan Murray and Nique Clifford, who are deemed untouchable.
Therefore, key veterans like Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and Dennis Schroder might already be auditioning for a new team ahead of the trade deadline. Ironically, all three players are currently on the sidelines due to injuries.
Although Schroder (hip) initially looked like he was the closest to returning to action, Sacramento lists the point guard as doubtful against Denver.
Schroder's absence is particularly key as the facilitator of the Kings' offense. The veteran point guard has missed the last six games for the Kings, a stretch in which they went just 1-5. During that period, the Kings posted an Offensive Rating of 108.1, the third-worst in the league.
While Russell Westbrook has tried to step in and fill the void, his 3.3 turnovers per game are a further hindrance.
The unavailability of LaVine (20.6 PPG) and Sabonis (17.2) won't make things any easier, with both players ranking in the top three for scoring on the team.
As a result, it's difficult to see where the points will come from, even against a Denver team that sits 18th defensively. The Nuggets will also have revenge on their minds after losing 128-123 at home to the Kings in their last meeting.
To be fair, Denver did lose the game while on the second leg of a back-to-back.
This time around, the Kings should have the Nuggets' full attention as Denver will have three days of rest heading into this rematch.
Nuggets vs Kings Prediction, Betting Analysis
On paper, this matchup certainly has the elements of a high-scoring game.
However, the Kings' injuries, coupled with the Nuggets' added rest, might leave us just short of the total, which sits at 239.5.
This season, the Nuggets are 4-2 to the under when facing a total of 239.5 or more points.
Moreover, looking at historical numbers, NBA road teams with three or more days of rest are 16-10-1 to the under when the total is 239.5 or higher.
Considering my model projects a total closer to 237.5, the under warrants our consideration, given the two points of value at the current number.
Pick: Under 240.5 (-108, DraftKings)
Kings vs Nuggets Betting Trends
