LONG TERM OUTLOOK: TRENDING UP

The Kings are competing to make the playoffs and their chances are clearly on the rise. In our pre-season forecast they had less than a 1% chance of making the playoffs. On 6/15 they under a 1% chance before increasing to 30.7% on 12/14. From the start of the season to now their chances are up significantly to 16.2%. They have a very slim chance (

Strength of Schedule Getting Tougher

• Remaining Opponents' Win Percentage Rest of Season: 52% #4 Toughest
• Season-to-Date Opponents' Win Percentage: 50% #11 Toughest

Kings' Season Forecast Changes

Stream Sacramento games with SlingTV

SEASON-TO-DATE GRADE: A-

[NOTE: Early in the season, we include last season in the analysis] At 23-22 the Kings are greatly exceeding their money line projected win total of 18 wins. In the process of beating expectations they have had 16 impressive wins where they won as betting underdogs or won big as slight favorites vs 3 bad losses. They have exceeded expectations in home games. Their 14-10 home record is +14% better than their expected win percentage. Their record over the last 3 weeks and win% (5-6, 45%) is under their expected 54% win percentage. In the pre-season, the Kings were expected to be a below average team (#27) in power rank, but they have greatly exceeded expectations. In simulations, the Kings are a below average team and won 48.3% of the simulations played vs every other team as if they were playing on a neutral court with players available in the playoffs (#20 in the league). They have moved up from #29 in the league back on 10/28.

SportsLine has the best NBA picks and Daily Fantasy Lineups. In the off-season check out our coverage of all major leagues (NFL, MLB, NHL, Horses, NASCAR, and Golf).

STATISTICAL STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES

SHOOTING (AVERAGE): Their true FG% is 55.8% (#17 in League). They average 114.2 pts per game vs an expected average (based on pre-game odds) of 111.8. On the road they average 115.6 (110.7 expected), and at home 113 ppg (112.9 expected).

DEFENSE (WEAKNESS): They are not a good defensive team allowing opponents to shoot 56.8 true FG% (#24 in League). They allow 115.4 pts per game vs an expected value of 115.2. They are allowing 117.6 (115.5 expected) on the road, and at home 113.4 ppg (114.9 expected).

REBOUNDING (WEAKNESS): They are outrebounded by opponents by 3.8 per game (#26 in league). However, the team has recently outrebounded opponents by 1.6.

TURNOVERS (STRENGTH): Their average turnover margin is 2.6 per game (#2 in league).

NEXT 5 GAME OUTLOOK: CLOUDY

The Kings next 5 game forecast looks pretty dreary. They have 3 games where they are favored by >55% of the simulations, 4 more 'toss up' games, and 3 games where they are a clear underdog. The most likely scenario over the next 5 games is a record of 2-3 (35% chance). Their chances of winning 4 or more are 8.5%. Their chances of winning their next 5 are 1.1%. At #10 in the conference, they are behind the Lakers by 1.5 games. There is only a -0.12 advantage in projected wins over their next 5 games so we do not expect them to pick up ground in the conference. They are ahead of the Timberwolves by 1.5 games. With a -1.33 disadvantage in projected wins over their next 5 games they may find the gap between them closing. Our Fatigue Index ranks teams based on travel miles, time zones crossed, days off since their last game and based on these metrics the Kings are the 4th most fatigued team heading into the next game. Over the next few weeks, the Kings are playing 6 games, traveling 14521 miles crossing 19 time zones. They rank #2 on the Fatigue Index during this time period.

Win%, Opp, and Distance to Road Game (**Indicates Back-to-Back)
JAN 19
CLOSE GAME
43% @DET
887 miles
JAN 21
CLOSE GAME
48% @BKN
2504 miles
JAN 22**
LIKELY LOSS
25% @TOR
344 miles
JAN 25
CLOSE GAME
48% @MEM
1749 miles
JAN 27
CLOSE GAME
43% @LAC
366 miles
JAN 30
LIKELY WIN
65% ATL
--
FEB 2
CLOSE GAME
47% PHI
--
FEB 4
CLOSE GAME
57% SA
--
FEB 6
CLOSE GAME
58% HOU
--
FEB 8
CLOSE GAME
49% MIA
--

The Sacramento Kings' next game is on January 19. Visit Sportsline.com to get picks, free trends and player projections for this game.

FANTASY PROFILE

Based on rest of season projections, these are the 6 most valuable fantasy players based on their projected position rank (Guards, Forwards, Centers). Overvalued players are rated higher by the market based on ownership% and vice versa.