Luka Dončić put up 42 points and 13 assists against Miami on Monday. That same night, Sacramento got at least 23 points from three players to earn its first win. The question Wednesday is whether the Kings can get that kind of scoring from several players again, because the Lakers can keep putting up points even when Dončić gives up the ball or takes a breather.
The Lakers can keep scoring when Dončić sits
Dončić has scored at least 37 in five straight games. He had 16 points and five assists in the first quarter of Monday’s 138–117 win over Miami. Austin Reaves helped protect the lead while Dončić rested to start the fourth and finished with 27 points. Walker Kessler added 15 points and 15 rebounds, according to the Associated Press recap. If Sacramento sends extra help to get the ball out of Dončić’s hands, it still has to close out on Reaves and account for Kessler inside.
DraftKings had the Lakers favored by 11.5 at 9:59 a.m. ET Wednesday. Sacramento’s best answer from Monday was getting points from several guards. Darius Acuff Jr. scored 25, Malik Monk 24 and Zach LaVine 23 in the 115–100 win at Dallas, per the AP recap. If the Kings can keep finding good shots when Acuff passes out of pressure or sits, they have a way to keep the margin within 11 even if Los Angeles starts fast.
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Even a big Lakers score can leave 234.5 out of reach
DraftKings priced the over at −115 and the under at −106 in that same snapshot. Five of Sacramento’s seven games went over their own lines, but two of those games finished at 233 and 235, on opposite sides of Wednesday’s number. The Lakers’ last two games reached 255 and 256, with Miami and Toronto contributing 117 and 125 points, respectively.
Sacramento scored 120 against Portland and New Orleans but managed 103 against San Antonio and 105 in its latest game against Memphis. Watch whether the Kings can get into the paint and create good looks for Monk and LaVine as well as Acuff. If those chances are there, Sacramento can keep the game close and do its part to push the total over. If the Kings’ offense stalls, the Lakers can win comfortably while the game stays below 234.5.
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