March 5, 2026, 10:15 a.m. ET

The New Orleans Pelicans (19-44) visit the Sacramento Kings (14-49) on Thursday. Tip-off from Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, is at 10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Pelicans vs. Kings odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Pelicans lead 1-0

After winning 4 straight to end February, the Pelicans have lost 2 in a row. In their most recent game, they fell 110-101 on the road to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday as 8.5-point underdogs with the Under (243.5) cashing.

The Kings have lost 2 games in a row, as well, but are 2-19 in their last 21 games. They last played on Tuesday, a 114-103 loss to the visiting Phoenix Suns as 9.5-point underdogs with the Under (223.5) cashing.

The Kings and Pelicans played in New Orleans on Feb. 9. The Pelicans covered the 9.5-point spread as favorites in a 120-94 win with the Under (229.5) cashing. The Kings went 4-for-31 from three.

Watch the NBA on Fubo!Pelicans at Kings odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Pelicans -210 (bet $210 to win $100) | Kings +170 (bet $100 to win $170)Against the spread (ATS): Pelicans -5.5 (-110) | Kings +5.5 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 234.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Pelicans at Kings key injuries

Pelicans

F Trey Murphy III (neck) questionableG Dejounte Murray (reconditioning) outF Zion Williamson (ankle) questionable

Kings

C Dylan Caldwell (ankle) outF De’Andre Hunter (eye) out for seasonG Zach LaVine (finger) out for seasonF Keegan Murray (ankle) outC Domantas Sabonis (knee) out for season

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

Pelicans at Kings picks and predictionsPrediction

Kings 115, Pelicans 112

This is a tough call. Both teams have struggled this season. The Kings have only 2 wins in their last 21 games — a run that began with a 16-game losing streak from Jan. 18 to Feb. 21. But the Pelicans are bad on the road (8-23) and the Kings are nearly as bad at home (9-21).

But the Kings’ last 2 games against teams under .500 have been victories.

BET KINGS (+170).

All 29 of the Pelicans’ ATS losses have been outright losses. They are 8-3 ATS as favorites this season but the Kings winning outright — with the much better odds on the ML — is the way to go.

PASS.

The total in their first meeting was only 214.

Six of the Kings’ last 9 games have not reached 235 total points.

Five of the Pelicans’ last 9 have not either.

BET UNDER 234.5 (-110).

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