Away: Detroit Pistons (3-14, 0-9 Away)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Killian Hayes
- SG: Jaden Ivey
- SF: Bojan Bogdanovic
- PF: Isaiah Livers
- C: Marvin Bagley III
The Detroit Pistons are one of three teams that hasn’t won an away game yet, and the only ones in the Eastern Conference with that unfortunate label. The chances of that streak ending in their next game is slim, especially with Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart unavailable to suit up.
That means they’ll be leaning heavily on rookie Jaden Ivey, who finished with 17 points, four rebound and five assists in their last game but shot 27.8% from the field. Bojan Bogdanovic, who finished with 20 points, six rebounds and five assists will also need to contribute heavily.
Former King Marvin Bagley will also be one to watch if he gets a starting nod over Jalen Duren again, as he’ll have the unenviable task of having to guard Domantas Sabonis, who has started to round into form lately.
The Pistons are 7-9-1 against the spread this season.
Home: Sacramento Kings (8-6, 5-3 Home)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: De’Aaron Fox
- SG: Kevin Huerter
- SF: Harrison Barnes
- PF: Keegan Murray (day-to-day)
- C: Domantas Sabonis
The Sacramento Kings have recently become the talk of the NBA after winning 8 of their last 10 games, including their current winning streak of five in a row. They’re being led by De’Aaron Fox, who his trying to make a case for his first All-Star spot early in the season by averaging 24.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 6.4 assists a game. He’s found a kindred spirit in Domantas Sabonis, who is a nightly triple-double threat. Sabonis is a beast in the paint who is a smart passer and will likely feast on Marvin Bagley.
With their top two players wreaking havoc recently, the Kings will also have other threats for the Pistons to contend with, including Kevin Huerter, who is making 51% of his three-pointers while shooting 7.1 of them per game. This is a team that gets their scoring going quickly too, and in their previous two contests found themselves allowing a double-digit lead to evaporate, only to suddenly explode again and see themselves winning by 18 points against the San Antonio Spurs and 32 points against the Brooklyn Nets.
One thing to keep note of is the potential absences of Keegan Murray, who is still day-to-day after suffering a back injury, and bench microwave Malik Monk, who had a dental procedure and may or may not play.
Sacramento are 11-3 ATS this season.
PREDICTION:
Spread: The Kings should be able to cover the -9.5 spread.
Over/Under: The over 232.5 looks good.
