Clippers vs Kings Odds & Picks (Oct. 22)
By Eric Rosales in NBA Basketball
Published:
- The Los Angeles Clippers are 6.5-point road favorites Saturday when they visit the Kings
- Sacramento rookie Keegan Murray (COVID protocols) considered day-to-day
- Read below for the Clippers vs Kings preview, with odds and predictions
After a successful offseason, expectations are off the charts for the LA Clippers.
On Saturday, they’ll be up against the Sacramento Kings, an in-state foe just trying to put themselves on the map.
LA opened their season with an impressive 103-97 win over their hallaway-rival LA Lakers, with superstar Kawhi Leonard making his first appearance since sitting out all of last year recovering from a torn ACL.
After a preseason showing that sent expectations soaring, SacTo couldn’t close out their home opener against the Trail Blazers in a 115-108 loss.
Oddsmakers aren’t convinced the Kings have turned the corner yet, either, as they are a pretty sizable home dog in the latest NBA odds.
Clippers vs Kings Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Clippers | -6.5 (-110) | -250 | OFF |
| Sacramento Kings | +6.5 (-110) | +210 | OFF |
Odds as of October 21 at Barstool Sportsbook. Claim the Barstool Sportsbook promo code to bet on the Clippers vs Kings game.
The Clips enter as 6.5-point road favorites, with the home side getting +210 odds on the moneyline. This one closes out the NBA slate Saturday night, tipping off at 10pm ET from the Golden 1 Center.
Sacramento didn’t fare that well at home a season ago, putting up just a 16-25 mark, tied for the third-worst home record in the West.
LA Clippers Betting Analysis
How stacked are the Clips? Consider that 2-time Finals MVP Leonard and 5-time All-Star John Wall came off the bench in their opener.
Such is the luxury when your roster is considered among the best in basketball. Landing Wall bolstered a roster that already made major strides a year ago, with the additions of Norm Powell and Robert Covington, while youngsters like Terance Mann, Ivica Zubac and Luke Kennard found their footing a year ago with more established vets like Paul George, Marcus Morris Sr and Reggie Jackson.
Reporter: “What was it like coming in mid-2nd quarter?”
Kawhi Leonard: “I waited 82 games last year, so I didn’t think 15 minutes would be that long. This is how I started my career. Act like I was in foul trouble & once I check in the 2nd quarter, it’s time to play basketball.” pic.twitter.com/ESFshd7hDv
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) October 21, 2022
The result is a squad that should be able to deliver any style and game needed for the team to succeed, from bully ball all the way to run-and-gun.
There will be hiccups, however, as Leonard already admitted he will miss one of these next two back-to-back games, as he ramps up his game legs.
He didn’t check in until midway through the second quarter, and finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and two assists on 6-for-12 shooting in 21 minutes.
Welcome Back @JohnWall
15 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL in hist first game since April 2021pic.twitter.com/dm7n3IJBdy
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) October 21, 2022
Wall led the bench mob in scoring with 15 points, adding four rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes of work.
PG-13, who would be the main man in any other setting, tied Wall for scoring with 15, adding 10 boards and four assists.
Defensively, they held the Lakers to under 100 points, 35.1% shooting, and an abysmal 9-for-45 mark from deep, a lowly 20% clip.
Sacramento Kings Betting Analysis
Mike Brown’s head coaching debut ended the way many Kings games did a year ago: with an L.
Much of the concern this time was from the fact they couldn’t hold onto a a lead, which had swollen to double-digit points in the third quarter.
Fox is on a mission tonight 😤@swipathefox | #RoarWithUs pic.twitter.com/cyUbzUg20n
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) October 20, 2022
After holding Portland to 19 points in the second quarter, they allowed back-to-back 30+ point quarters after halftime, getting outscored 64-53.
Their backcourt looked absolutely lethal against Portland, however. De’Aaron Fox dropped a game-high 33 points, to go along with seven board and seven assists. Kevin Huerter, picked up in the offseason, had 23 points in his debut, while shooting 6-for-9 from downtown. Terrance Davis scored a bench-best 14 points.
TERENCE. DAVIS. pic.twitter.com/9kyOtZtaVe
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) October 20, 2022
Another piece to this mix yet to make his debut is rookie Keegan Murray. The fourth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and one of the favorites in the 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year odds is currently in COVID protocols, and has been ruled out.
Regardless of who’s in the lineup, Sacramento needs to improve on the margins. They had 15 turnovers, including eight from Fox, and they were outrebounded 44-41, including getting outboarded on the offensive glass 11-4.
Clippers vs Kings Prediction
Normally, Kawhi Leonard out should be enough to sway you to lean on the home team and the points, but LA has the horses and experience without their star to adjust.
These teams split the season series a year ago, with the Clips winning the last two, but it’s hard to bring that analysis over with the rosters looking so different for both teams.
Even with the uncertainty of early season results, expect the championship-or-bust Clips to outshine a Kings side figuring themselves out.
Take the spread if Leonard does play, but take the moneyline if he sits.
Pick: Clippers Moneyline (-250)
Sports Writer & Editor
Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgeable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV's Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric's work has appeared in local and national publications alike.
