The Kings were winless in five games against the New Orleans Pelicans during the regular season, but oddsmakers have made Sacramento a small favorite in the sixth and most important matchup of the season between the two conference foes.
New Orleans came up short on Tuesday in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament, falling to the Los Angeles Lakers. Star forward Zion Williamson scored a game-high 40 points, but the former No. 1 overall pick suffered a hamstring injury and will not suit up in Friday’s matchup against the Kings with the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference Playoffs on the line.