Sacramento Kings vs Denver Nuggets Prediction and Betting Tips | Jan. 23, 2024

The Sacramento Kings get another crack at the Denver Nuggets on Thursday. Sacramento lost 130-129 in the first meeting after Jamal Murray drained a go-ahead jumper to cap off a wild Nuggets comeback in mid-December. Tying the season series might be tough as they will square off against Nikola Jokic and Co. at Mile High City on short rest.

The Nuggets comfortably wait for the Kings after dispatching the hapless Philadelphia 76ers 144-109 on Tuesday. Mike Malone’s team is healthy and raring to stay unbeaten against their surging opponents from California.

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Sacramento Kings vs Denver Nuggets Preview, Prediction, Starting Lineups and Betting Tips

Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, will host the Kings-Nuggets rematch. Basketball fans can stream the action via the NBA League Pass.

Moneyline: Kings (+250) vs. Nuggets (-310)

Odds: Kings (+7.5) vs. Nuggets (-7.5)

Total (O/U): Kings (o240.5 -110) vs. Nuggets (u240.5 -110)

Editor’s Note: The odds could change closer to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.

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Sacramento Kings vs Denver Nuggets preview

The Sacramento Kings shrugged off the controversial firing of Mike Brown by giving their fans their best stretch of the season. They are 9-1 in January and improving on both ends of the floor.

The Kings know they have to play with more poise when taking on the 2023 NBA champs. They can’t afford to have the same mental mistakes and turnovers that cost them the game in the first meeting against their opponents.

How the Kings deal with the high altitude after a hard-fought 123-117 win against the Golden State Warriors will determine their chances of winning.

The Nuggets are healthy and looking ready to climb the Western Conference standings. They are on a four-game winning streak and have won seven of their last eight games. Sacramento will test the Nuggets how ready they are to move up the standings.

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Sacramento Kings vs Denver Nuggets predicted starting lineups

Kings

PG: De’Aaron Fox | SG: Malik Monk | SF: DeMar DeRozan | PF: Keegan Murray | C: Domantas Sabonis

Nuggets

PG: Jamal Murray | PG: Russell Westbrook | SG: Christian Braun | PF: Michael Porter Jr. | C: Nikola Jokic

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Sacramento Kings vs Denver Nuggets betting tips

Nikola Jokic is averaging 21.6 points per game in his last five meetings against the Kings. Domantas Sabonis usually holds up well against the Joker, allowing the three-time MVP 23.8 PPG in 18 matchups. The Nuggets center, though, has been on a roll in his last four games, averaging 20.3 PPG without appearing in the fourth quarter.

Jokic likely hits the over in his 27.5 (O/U) points prop, particularly if it's close and heading into the last 12 minutes.

De’Aaron Fox is averaging 22.5 PPG this month, but he often plays well against the Nuggets. He averages 25.0 PPG in his last five matchups against the Nuggets. Fox had a rough night against the Warriors and could bounce back to redeem himself. The speedy guard could top his 23.5 (O/U) points prop.

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Sacramento Kings vs Denver Nuggets prediction

The Sacramento Kings needed everything they had to beat the Warriors, who missed multiple key players. Fox and Co. have to travel to Mile High City to take on the Denver Nuggets, who will likely defend their home court.

However, the Kings could cover the +7.5 spread.