The top NBA betting sites have listed the Kings at +240 to win this series. The Warriors are -150 with a -1.5 games handicap at the best online sportsbooks. This means that a 4-2 series win or better would be needed for bettors to collect.
The Sacramento Kings have snapped the longest active postseason drought in US sports betting. They are now ready to make some waves against the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors won the regular season series between these two teams 3-1, but the final win in Sacramento was against a Kings squad without their starters after they earned their spot as the No. 3 seed in the West.
The question regarding the outcome of this series is whether Golden State can really win on the road to snatch home-court advantage. Golden State ended the regular season with an 11-30 record away from home.
They were beaten 122-115 in Sacramento earlier in the year when the two teams were at full strength. Sacramento knows all about the media talk concerning the bottom seed aiming to measure up to them in the first round.
They will be out to prove that they are not just here to make an appearance in their return to postseason basketball. Draymond Green recently said in his podcast that the Warriors are looking to intimidate a young team early to instill self-doubt in their opponents.
Having said that, if anyone can inspire his players to ignore the bs, it’s former Warriors assistant, now Kings Head Coach, Mike Brown. Brown is a shoo-in for Coach of the Year and the knowledge that he has about Steve Kerr and the Warriors will make for an interesting storyline to this series.
2023 NBA Playoffs First Round Golden State Warriors vs. Sacramento Kings
| Date: | Saturday, April 15, 2023. |
| Time: | 8:30 p.m. ET. |
| Location: | Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA. |
| TV Coverage: | ABC |
Game 1 Odds by BetOnline
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warriors | +1 (-110) | 239 (-110) | -105 |  |
| Kings | -1 (-110) | 239 (-110) | -115 | |
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Betting Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors still retain an aura of invincibility. They have not lost a best-of-seven series with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green healthy and available. The defending champs took some time to find their footing this season, but the team appears to be cemented in its rotations and their key players are much clearer on their duties.
The biggest question mark for the team heading into the series is how Andrew Wiggins will look on his return to basketball following a lengthy layoff for personal reasons. Wiggins, who went on to average 17.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists this season, is still the team’s top on-ball defender.
His presence will be key in trying to stop DeAaron Fox above the key. Containing the Kings’ offense at the point of attack will be key in slowing down a squad that just recorded the best Offensive Rating in league history.
But that won’t be the only thing that they will need to prevent. TOs have been a constant thorn in the side for this Warriors team. They once more ranked amongst the worst in the NBA in that category.
The team finished 29th in TO percentage. Allowing the Kings to play in transition is a surefire way to screw the pooch. Curry recently admitted that in order for the team to move on in the playoffs and make a profound run they need to improve at taking care of the ball and make a concerted effort to rebound the ball.
Kevon Looney should figure abundantly in this series. Across his four encounters with Domantas Sabonis this season he has a +32 net rating when he is on the court.
Betting Sacramento Kings
The Kings made a statement in their first season under Mike Brown. They clinched the Pacific Division after they were listed at +50000 to do so at top sports betting sites. The coupling of Fox and Sabonis has played a big role in their success. The former was listed as a favorite to win the Clutch Player of the Year award.
Fox averaged 25.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.1 assists this year. His skill in attacking the paint and collapsing a defense has been central in helping this offense turn into the unstoppable behemoth that has run down opponents all season long.
The enduring question has been whether this offense can make up for a defense that has more holes in it than Sonny Corleone. Sacramento ranked #25 in Adjusted Defensive Rating this year. They ranked 27th in Opponent Effective Field Goal Percentage, 22nd in opponent Rim percentage, 27th in opponent Midrange percentage and 26th in opponent 3-point percentage.
Stopping Golden State’s offense will be too tall an order, and so the m.o. for Mike Brown’s team will be to keep the Warrior’s offensive possessions to a minimum.
Golden State Warriors vs. Sacramento Kings Picks
Sacramento
