The Sacramento Kings (0-4) and the New Orleans Pelicans (0-4) clash Thursday in New Orleans, Louisiana, both seeking their first win of the 2026-27 season. Tip-off from Smoothie King Center is at 8 p.m. ET. Let's analyze NBA odds around the Kings vs. Pelicans odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
2025-26 season series: Pelicans won 2-1, including a 26-point win at home
The Kings have had a rough go to start the season, losing all 4 games, 3 by double digits. They last played Tuesday, losing on the road 130-103 to the San Antonio Spurs as 19.5-point underdogs with the Over (232.5) cashing. They allowed 80 first-half points. F De'Andre Hunter led the Kings with 24 points on 8 of 13 shooting.
The Pelicans also have
lost all 4 games to start the season. They played Wednesday, losing to the Denver Nuggets 104-91 as 4.5-point home underdogs with the Under (240.5) cashing. They never led in the game. F Zion Williamson led the Pels with 25 points.
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Kings at Pelicans odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:41 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Kings +190 (bet $100 to win $190) | Pelicans -235 (bet $235 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Kings +6.5 (-118) | Pelicans -6.5 (-102)
- Over/Under (O/U): 236.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Kings at Pelicans key injuries
Kings
- C Dylan Cardwell (calf) out
- F Keegan Murray (ankle) out
- C Maxime Raynaud (knee) out
Pelicans
(Not yet submitted -- below was for Wednesday's game)
- C Yves Missi (knee) out
- G Jordan Poole (illness) probable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Kings at Pelicans picks and predictions
Prediction
Kings 126, Pelicans 122
Moneyline
With both teams struggling and both teams allowing a lot of points, this could go either way. The Kings have allowed over 120 points in all 4 games they have played. The Pelicans have allowed 120 or more in 3 games, and in the one game they allowed only 104, they scored only 91.
This feels more of a toss-up than the odds suggest, which make the Kings ML great.
BET KINGS (+190).
Against the spread
Liking the Kings to win outright with plus odds, the spread doesn't look appealing. The Pels are 2-2 ATS, but this is new territory because they haven't been favored in a game before Thursday.
PASS.
Over/Under
This one seems like an easy bet. The Over is 3-1 for both teams. The Pelicans have had 3 games with totals above Thursday's projection. The Kings have allowed over 120 points in every game. The Pels have allowed at least 120 in 3 of 4 games.
BET OVER 236.5 (-110).
Best prop bet
Kings C DOMANTAS SABONIS OVER 17.5 POINTS (-120).
Sabonis has scored over 17 points twice in 4 games. The Pelicans have allowed the opposing starting center to score at least 21 points in 3 of 4 games this season.
Betting odds calculator
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Sacramento Kings at New Orleans Pelicans odds, picks and predictions
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