Sacramento visits New Orleans on Thursday with both teams searching for their first victory. Tipoff at Smoothie King Center is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET. The Kings have had a day to recover from their latest defeat, while the Pelicans return immediately after facing Denver on Wednesday. New Orleans is favored by six points, with the total at 238. I’m taking Sacramento with the points while projecting the Pelicans to win.
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Kings vs Pelicans Game Information
| Game Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Matchup | Sacramento Kings at New Orleans Pelicans |
| Date | Thursday, October 29, 2026 |
| Tipoff | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| Arena | Smoothie King Center |
| Location | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Spread used | Sacramento +6 |
| Total used | 238 |
| Current records | Sacramento 0-4; New Orleans 0-4 |
Sacramento Needs Its Offense to Reduce the Pressure on Its Defense
Sacramento is 0-4 after Tuesday’s 130-103 loss at San Antonio. The Kings are 0-2 away from home and have lost every game by at least eight points. That is a poor foundation for backing an underdog. Their strongest situational advantage Thursday is rest: Sacramento had Wednesday off while New Orleans played another full game.
The Kings have averaged 107.8 points and allowed 125.5. The defensive number is the larger concern, but an offense producing fewer than 108 points also leaves little room to survive mistakes. Sacramento needs possessions that create more than one scoring option. Working through the middle, making New Orleans defend cuts and avoiding rushed attempts could help the Kings generate better shots while limiting the Pelicans’ transition chances.
Domantas Sabonis finished Tuesday with 20 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists. De’Andre Hunter scored 24, and Zach LaVine added 22. Those individual contributions provide a route to improvement, although they did not prevent another decisive loss. Keegan Murray is out with an ankle injury, while Dylan Cardwell, Maxime Raynaud and Ben Simmons are also listed out. Those absences limit Sacramento’s lineup flexibility and make another difficult defensive night a real possibility.
New Orleans Has the Home Opportunity but Must Earn Separation
New Orleans fell to 0-4 with Wednesday’s 104-91 loss to Denver. The Pelicans are 0-2 at home and now face a second game in two nights without leaving New Orleans. Earlier close losses suggested they could compete offensively, but Wednesday showed how quickly a game can become difficult when that scoring disappears.
The Pelicans have averaged 116.3 points and allowed 122.0 through four games. Their scoring average includes a 135-point performance in an overtime loss at Denver, so it should not be treated as a normal regulation expectation. Sacramento’s defense presents an opportunity to recover, especially around the basket. New Orleans still needs to create those opportunities through patient decisions rather than assume the opponent’s record guarantees easy offense.
Zion Williamson scored 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting against Denver, but the Pelicans did not get enough support. Trey Murphy III finished with six points on seven field-goal attempts. New Orleans needs more productive involvement from its perimeter options to keep Sacramento from concentrating on Williamson. Yves Missi missed Wednesday with a knee injury; his Thursday status needs confirmation rather than carrying the previous game’s designation forward automatically.
Kings vs Pelicans Statistical Comparison
Figures reflect completed 2026-27 regular-season games through October 28. Averages are rounded.
| Category | Sacramento Kings | New Orleans Pelicans |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 0-4 | 0-4 |
| Relevant location record | 0-2 away | 0-2 home |
| Points per game | 107.8 | 116.3 |
| Points allowed per game | 125.5 | 122.0 |
| Average scoring margin | -17.8 | -5.8 |
| Most recent result | Lost 103-130 at San Antonio | Lost 91-104 vs Denver |
| Schedule situation | One day off | Second game in two nights |
Three Matchups Worth Watching
| Matchup | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Sabonis’ passing vs New Orleans’ defensive positioning | Sacramento needs movement and clean finishing opportunities rather than isolated difficult shots. |
| Williamson’s interior scoring vs Sacramento’s available frontcourt | The Pelicans can create a major advantage if the Kings cannot defend the paint without excessive help. |
| New Orleans’ supporting offense vs Sacramento’s recovery defense | Reliable perimeter contributions would make it much harder for Sacramento to contain Williamson. |
Sacramento Kings vs New Orleans Pelicans Picks and Predictions
Spread Pick: Sacramento Kings +6
I’m taking the six points while projecting New Orleans to win. Sacramento has done little to inspire confidence, but the Pelicans’ own winless start and consecutive-night schedule make a comfortable home victory difficult to assume. Sabonis gives the Kings a way to organize their offense, and the rest advantage could matter late if the game stays competitive. The counterargument is substantial: Sacramento has allowed 125.5 points per game and has yet to finish within this spread in any game. Williamson could expose the same problems again. Even with that risk, I prefer the points against a favorite still searching for consistent execution. My projection is New Orleans 119, Sacramento 115.
Total Pick: Under 238
The defenses explain why the total is high, but both offenses still have to contribute enough to reach it. Sacramento has scored 103 or fewer twice, and New Orleans managed only 91 on Wednesday. The Pelicans’ quick turnaround could also affect their shooting and offensive movement. I project 234 combined points, making Under 238 a modest preference. The biggest danger is straightforward: poor interior defense could allow either team to score efficiently without needing an exceptional shooting night. Fouls and second-chance opportunities would add to that risk. I’m still taking the under because this number asks two inconsistent offenses to sustain production for most of the game.
Final Prediction
| Selection | Pick |
|---|---|
| Moneyline winner | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Against the spread | Sacramento Kings +6 |
| Total | Under 238 |
| Projected score | New Orleans 119, Sacramento 115 |
| Preferred selection | Sacramento +6 |
Final Picks: New Orleans moneyline, Sacramento Kings +6 and Under 238.
Prepared October 29, 2026, using completed results through October 28. Picks use the listed lines. Odds, injury designations and starting lineups may change. New Orleans’ final back-to-back availability report was not confirmed at preparation. Early-season statistics reflect small samples. Moneyline value depends on the available price.