Charlotte Hornets vs Sacramento Kings Prediction & Picks : Full Breakdown & Bets

As the Sacramento Kings roll into Charlotte, all eyes should be on DeMar DeRozan, especially when it comes to his points and rebounds. With an average of 21.4 points against Charlotte in their recent matchups-24 if you look at away games-he's shown a knack for lighting up the scoreboard against them. Sure, his recent away performance dipped a bit, averaging 15.4 points and 1.8 rebounds, but let's not forget that he thrives in high-stakes situations. His recent form suggests a strong bounce-back is in order; he's hit over 18.5 points plus rebounds in 12 of his last 20 away games. With a projected stat value of 21.73, it feels like a safe bet that DeRozan will rise to the occasion and surpass that total against a Hornets squad that he's historically performed well against. This matchup could be his moment to shine.

LaMelo Ball (Charlotte Hornets) Under 3.5 Threes Made (+116)

As the Charlotte Hornets take on the Sacramento Kings, all eyes will be on LaMelo Ball, but there's a compelling case for betting the under on his three-pointers made at 3.5. While Ball has dazzled with an average of 4.8 threes in his last five games, his home performances tell a different story-averaging just 4.6 at home and a mere 3.2 against the Kings in their recent encounters. Even more telling is that at home against Sacramento, he hasn't hit a single three in their last matchup. With a hit rate of just 60% at home over the last 15 games, the numbers suggest he may struggle to reach that 3.5 mark. Considering these factors, taking the under on LaMelo's threes feels like a smart move as he navigates a tough Kings defense.

Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets) Under 3.5 Threes Made (-104)

As the Charlotte Hornets host the Sacramento Kings, all eyes will be on Kon Knueppel, but perhaps not for the reasons you might think. While he's shown flashes of brilliance from beyond the arc, recent trends suggest a dip in his long-range shooting. He's hit the under on 3.5 threes in three of his last four games and has only converted over that mark in two of his last six home outings. With an expected stat value of just 3.13 threes, the numbers tell a compelling story. The Kings' defense is known for closing out on shooters quickly, which could further limit Knueppel's opportunities. Given that he's been more selective lately, betting on him to stay under 3.5 threes feels like a smart play. In a game where every shot counts, expect the Hornets to utilize him differently, making the under a tempting proposition.