New Orleans Pelicans vs Sacramento Kings Prediction: Can Kings take advantage of Pels' exhaustion?

The NBA terrain has hit the trade deadline window and in a few days, the way teams are shaped up can change. The trade market is full of options this season but one option that has taken the league by storm is Kyrie Irving, whose declaration to switch jerseys lit up an otherwise quiet rumor mill. Let us see what transpires there, before that, let us jump into the battle between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Sacramento Kings

The Pelicans enter the game after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 131:126, thanks to a 35 points performance by Brandon Ingram. This win broke a ten-game losing streak so it means troubles are still in abundance. They are now at 27 wins and 27 losses, a record that has taken a big hit ever since Zion Williamson has been out. Brandon Ingram’s return bolsters what has been an otherwise poor offensive squad. McCollum’s production has been inefficient while the rest of the unit hasn’t answered the call.

The Kings come into this contest after losing 104:107 against the Indiana Pacers despite a 23 points performance by Harrison Barnes. They have lost four of their last eight games, which isn’t terrible exactly but the tendency to not weave big winning streaks has held them back. Their record of 29 wins and 22 losses is their best record at this point after many years and there is little doubt that this has been their best chance to enter the postseason. Fox and co. have their work cut out and there is no doubt that they have a deep scoring lineup and a reliable rebounding and playmaking big Domantas Sabonis.

The Kings have been in great shape offensively but their tendency to be lax on defense has hurt their progress. The Pels have been in an awful touch and even though they are playing at home, this is their back-to-back night meeting which gives a sort of an edge to the Kings. At any rate, I expect the Kings to come up big and predict a 122:115 scoreline in their favor despite Fox being OUT here.