Kings vs. Lakers prediction and odds for Wednesday, January 18 (Kings elite as road favorites)

The Sacramento Kings have won four straight games and seven of their last 10 games to move into the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference this season.

Sacramento made a gusty trade last season, trading guard Tyrese Haliburton to the Indiana Pacers in a deal for Domantas Sabonis, but the deal has worked out for both sides. Sabonis is playing at an All-Star level right now, and he’s helped De’Aaron Fox have one of his best seasons in the NBA as well.

As a result, the Kings look like a playoff team for the first time in recent memory.

Sacramento has a favorable matchup on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Lakers, who are still shorthanded with Lonnie Walker IV, Austin Reaves and Anthony Davis out of the lineup.

Los Angeles also has listed LeBron James as questionable for this game with an ankle injury. James played through the issue on Monday, dropping 48 points in a win over the Houston Rockets.

The Lakers are in the No. 13 spot in the West, but they are still in the playoff conversation, sitting just two games behind the No. 6 seeded Golden State Warriors.

James’ status could sway the line in this game, so how should bettors proceed?

Kings vs. Lakers odds, spread and total

Kings vs. Lakers prediction and pick

James played on Monday against Houston because he knew the Lakers needed the win, and it’s possible he uses the same line of thinking in this game against the Kings.

Los Angeles has to start making a move in the West with so many teams jumbled up with similar records, and oddsmakers seem to think James will play with the Kings laying just 4.5 points on the road.

Still, I think Sacramento is the side to back in this game.

The Kings are elite as road favorites this season, going 5-1 against the spread. Even though the Lakers have been better as home dogs (7-5 ATS) than they have on the road, Los Angeles is at a major offensive disadvantage in this game.

The Lakers rank 16th in the league in offensive rating, compared to the Kings who are third. Outside of James and Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles lacks proven scoring on a nightly basis, and that’s going to be a problem against a Kings team that is willing to push the pace with Los Angeles.

These teams are second (L.A.) and fifth (Sacramento) in pace this season, and the Kings have scored 134 points in each of their last two games against the Lakers. Los Angeles won one of those games, but I don’t know if it will keep up tonight, especially if James ends up sitting out.

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.