The Sacramento Kings have twice beaten the Denver Nuggets in the 2023-24 NBA regular season. Will they hit the trifecta this Thursday? Or, will the Nuggets snap their skid by giving the Kings a royal beatdown in Mile High City?

Catch this game live on Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 10 AM, Manila time

Away: Sacramento Kings (30-23/15-14 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

• De’Aaron Fox
• Kevin Huerter
• Harrison Barnes
• Keegan Murray
• Domantas Sabonis

The Kings seem to have Denver’s number this season, and they will be counting on that success to continue versus the reigning NBA champs this Thursday when Sacramento looks to end a two-game slump. Sacramento has lost its last two outings to the Oklahoma City Thunder (127-113) and the Phoenix Suns (130-125) on Monday and Wednesday, respectively. 

Not only that but the Kings have also lost four of their last five assignments. However, they could be catching the Nuggets at just the right time, with Denver also struggling of late. Plus, the Nuggets will likely be without one of their major weapons in Jamal Murray. The absence of Murray is one big plus for Sacramento, especially since its defense isn’t looking right at the moment. The Kings are 2-0 straight up and 2-0 against the spread in two meetings this season with Denver, including last Saturday’s 135-106 blowout of the Nuggets at home.

Home: Denver Nuggets (36-18/21-4 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

• Reggie Jackson
• Christian Braun
• Michael Porter Jr.
• Aaron Gordon
• Nikola Jokic

As mentioned earlier, there is a good chance that Murray will not be able to suit up for this Thursday’s game against the Nuggets. Murray is doubtful with a lower-body issue that forced him to prematurely exit last Tuesday’s 112-95 road loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. In lieu of Murray, expect the Nuggets to go with Reggie Jackson as their starting point guard. 

One good thing for the Nuggets is that they are better rested for Thursday’s game than the Kings, who will be playing the second leg of a back-to-back.  A potentially fatigued Kings could show up with even worse defense than what it’s already been deploying on the court of late. The Kings have allowed 126.4 points on average in their last five outings. That’s the second-worst in the league during the same span. It’s the kind of defense that Nikola Jokic and company, even without Murray, should be able to abuse.

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Nuggets (-6.0) cover the spread.

Over/Under: The total (230.5) hits the Over.