Golden State Warriors Team Preview
Golden State Warriors ATS Record: 39-42-10
Despite finishing with their third-worst win record over the previous ten years, Golden State is set to defend its position as the reigning NBA Champions! The Golden State Warriors have been one of the most dominant teams in the NBA through the last decade. Led by generational point guard Stephen Curry and his All-NBA caliber sidekicks Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, the Warriors have claimed the Larry O'Brien trophy four times in the last ten years.
Golden State's offensive execution is one of the best in the NBA, earning them an offensive rating of 116.1 (8th in the NBA). Through the 2022-23 NBA campaign, the Golden State Warriors averaged 118.9 points (2nd in the NBA), 29.8 assists (1st in the NBA), and 16.6 threes (1st in the NBA) on 38.5% efficiency from deep (2nd in the NBA). The Warriors' defense is nothing to scoff at, either. Despite allowing 117.1 points per game (21st in the NBA), they hold opponents to 46.9% from the field (9th in the NBA) while forcing 14.3 turnovers per game (13th in the NBA).
The Sacramento Kings present an exciting matchup for the Warriors, a team they've beaten three out of four times through the regular season. With the Warriors averaging 120.0 points per game on 50.1% from the field and 39.0% from three-point range through four games against the Kings, Golden State's offense should expect little resistance.
Key Players & Stats
All eyes are on four-time NBA Champion Stephen Curry, a first-ballot hall-of-fame talent. In his thirteenth NBA season, Curry is posting averages of 29.4 points, 6.3 assists, and 6.1 rebounds, on 49.3% from the field and 42.7% from deep. Hitting 4.9 three-point field goals per game, Curry can close out teams almost single-handedly with his offensive output.
Klay Thompson has been excellent in his first season after a devastating injury. Thompson's offensive production should do even more to bolster the Warriors' chances at retaining the title, as he is averaging 21.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game on 43.6% from the field and 41.2% from three.
The Warriors were without key wing player Andrew Wiggins for the regular season's second half. Still, despite the mystery, he'll be back, providing his versatility on both ends, where he contributes 17.1 points per game on 47.3% from the field.
Check out our picks for the best NBA player prop bets here!
Sacramento Kings Team Preview
Sacramento Kings ATS Record: 45-36-1
The Sacramento Kings shocked the NBA world with the quality of their play through the 2022-23 NBA season. With an 18-game improvement over their record in the 2021-22 campaign, the Sacramento Kings were able to lock down the third seed in the West while earning their head coach Mike Brown the Coach of the Year Award! They now face their first playoff series in 17 years against the reigning NBA Champion Golden State Warriors!
On the offensive end, the Sacramento Kings found their success this season. Behind the efforts of star men Domantas Sabonis and De'Aaron Fox, the Kings averaged 120.7 points (1st in the NBA) on 49.4% from the field (2nd in the NBA) while dishing 27.3 assists per game (3rd in the NBA). Unfortunately, their defense has been lacking, allowing 118.1 points (25th in the NBA) on 49.2% efficiency (29th in the NBA) and 37.3% accuracy from three-point range.
Sacramento should be concerned, given their lack of post-season experience and losing their regular season series to the Warriors 3-1. However, Given the quality of their offense and the Warriors' abysmal play on the road, Sacramento won't have any reason to hold back, given the home-court advantage. With a raucous crowd behind them and a proven offense, expect a fast-paced affair from the Kings.
Key Players & Stats
Given the quality of his offensive play, it's no wonder that Lithuanian big man Domantas Sabonis was Sacramento's representative as an All-Star this year. He averaged 19.1 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game on 61.5% from the field and 37.2% from deep. Sabonis was only behind two-time and reigning league MVP Nikola Jokic in triple-doubles this season with 14.
Be sure to keep an eye on point guard De'Aaron Fox, who led the Sacramento Kings in scoring with 25.0 points per game while posting 6.1 assists and 1.1 steals on 51.2% from the field and 32.4% from the deep.
Harrison Barnes will be the man to watch for the Kings, as the former NBA Champion with the Golden State Warriors will have plenty to prove and has the defensive versatility to set the standard for their play.
Odds, Previews, Picks, and Best Bets for Golden State Warriors vs Sacramento Kings
For more details on FanDuel Sportsbook, check out our expert review here!
It projects to be a tightly contested affair when the Sacramento Kings host the Golden State Warriors. It's a natural pick 'em game, but the Warriors' experience is the difference maker in Game 1. Most sportsbooks provide a relatively narrow point spread, estimating this game to be decided by no more than a couple of points.
The total set for Game 1 between the Kings and Warriors is set at 238.0 at FanDuel Sportsbook. Throughout the season, the Warriors averaged a combined 236.0 points per game on a plus-1.8 differential. The Kings average a combined 238.8 points per game on a plus-2.6 differential.
WSN's Pick
Golden State Warriors to Win - Moneyline (-104)
Over 238.0 (-110)
/filters:no_upscale()/fit-in/1200x585/1681540199/warriors-vs-kings-predictions-april-15.jpg "Warriors vs Kings Predictions")
/fit-in/222x222/frame-1-1.png)
/1666344578/christian-jope.png "Christian jope")
/dmca.png "Dmca"){kind=small}
/1670944202/21.png "21"){kind=small}
/1670944628/2022-igb-best-casino-affiliate-gig-media-e1651053747946.png "2022 igb best casino affiliate gig media e1651053747946"){kind=small}
/1670944701/gig-media-power-affiliates-rank-123x40-1.png "Gig media power affiliates rank 123x40 1"){kind=icon}
/1670944773/800-gambler-black-144x40.jpg "800 gambler black 144x40"){kind=small}
/1718715753/gpwa.webp "Gpwa"){kind=small}
