Sacramento Kings vs New Orleans Pelicans Picks and Prediction for Thursday October 29 2026

In Thursday night NBA action, the Sacramento Kings will travel to the Smoothie King Center to take on the New Orleans Pelicans. This battle will get started at 8:00 pm EST on October 29, 2026. The game can be streamed on NBA League Pass. The Pelicans have been installed as a 5.5 point home favorite and the total as of writing is 237.5. Be ready for all of this season's NBA action with our free NBA picks.

Sacramento stumbles out of the gate

The Sacramento Kings have made just one playoff appearance in the last 20 years and appear to be one of the worst teams in the NBA again. The Kings (0-4) have dropped their first two road games and have failed to hold an opponent under 121 points this season. On Tuesday, Sacramento trailed by 26 points at halftime during a 130-103 road loss against San Antonio. 

De’Andre Hunter led four Sacramento players in double figures with 24 points (5-9 3PT) and six rebounds. Domantas Sabonis contributed 20 points (10-16 FG), 14 rebounds, and eight assists. The Kings’ bench combined to score 14 points on a woeful 5-for-27 shooting effort. 

Last season, the Kings barely had a pulse on defense and surrendered 121 points per contest. During Tuesday’s loss, Sacramento allowed San Antonio to shoot 54 percent from the field and was outscored 60-46 in the paint. The Kings were outrebounded by a 46-38 margin and trailed for 98 percent of the game.

New Orleans headed in the wrong direction

The New Orleans Pelicans have missed the playoffs in three of the previous four seasons and have just one playoff series victory since 2009. The Pelicans have dropped their first two home games and reserve G Jordan Poole has already asked to be traded. Last night, New Orleans fell behind by 19 points after one quarter during a 104-91 home loss versus Denver. 

Former number one overall draft pick Zion Williamson tallied a game-high 25 points (10-14 FG), five rebounds, and three steals. The rest of the starting lineup combined for 30 points on a 12-for-33 shooting effort. Derik Queen added 11 points and 12 rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench for the Pelicans. 

Entering last night’s game, New Orleans ranked seventh in offensive efficiency and averaged 124.7 points. In the loss against the Nuggets, the Pelicans missed 23 of 30 three-point attempts and shot 41 percent overall. New Orleans turned the ball over 18 times which led to 19 Denver points.

Sacramento Kings vs New Orleans Pelicans Picks and Prediction

Pick: New Orleans Pelicans -5.5

New Orleans C Yves Missi is dealing with a left knee bone bruise and is listed as questionable for this game. The Pelicans took two out of three against the Kings a season ago, including a 120-94 home victory. Sacramento is 1-3 ATS and is not covering by an average of eight points. Take the Pelicans to win and cover at home.

Pick: Over 237.5

New Orleans is playing at the 11th fastest tempo and Sacramento ranks 26th in that category. Last season, these two teams finished in the bottom third of the league in defensive efficiency. The Kings are 3-1 O/U and have surrendered an average of 125.5 points. With the Pelicans playing on consecutive nights, the over is the play.

Final Score Prediction: New Orleans Pelicans win 127-117