Warriors vs. Kings Game 7 Preview, Odds, Predictions, Picks

So the Sacramento Kings forced Game 7 of their series against the Golden State Warriors, doing something just a few teams did before, and that’ beating the Dub Nation at the Chase Center. Since 2016 and Cleveland, we haven’t seen a team facing the elimination surviving the Warriors at their home. Well, Fox and the crew did that after a shockingly easy victory last Friday, 118-99. Game 7 at the Golden One Center will be a spectacle, and whoever wins this one will advance to face the Lakers, another team from California.

More NBA playoff previews

• Heat vs. Knicks Game 1
• 76ers vs. Celtics Game 1

Preview

Golden State Warriors (-110) were unrecognizable in Game 6, having one of the worst games ever in the playoffs when playing with all the stars. They’ve shot only 37.2% from the field and were outrebounded 42-53.

Now, the Kings had barely over 40% of shooting in this event, yet the Warriors couldn’t do anything to utilize that stat or be at least competitive. Steph Curry had 29 points, 9-for-21 from the field, while Klay Thompson scored 22, with both of them shooting 7-for-21 behind the three-point line. 

Jordan Pool didn’t exist on the court, having only seven points, 2-for-11 from the field, which was one of the main reasons why the Warriors lost the event. Andrew Wiggins had 13 buckets and only seven boards, while the Warriors’ bench scored 21 points combined.

Sacramento Kings (-110) showed an incredible mentality. Mike Brown’s crew was written off by many of the fans and analysts, yet they responded in the best possible way. Unlike the hosts, their bench was superb, with Malik Monk scoring 28 buckets, a team-high. He also had seven rebounds for a +/- 21. 

De’Aaron Fox wasn’t slowed down by his broken finger, and with 26 points and 11 assists, he was the moving force of the Kings’ team. He is really among the best guards in the league right now, and has a generational talent, no matter what everyone thinks. 

The two guys who did all the dirty work in Game 6 were Sabonis, who had only seven points, but nine of his 11 boards were on the offensive side. The way he looked after the contest would make someone think he was part of an MMA conflict. Keegan Murray had 15 buckets and 12 boards, and shout out for his performance.

Head-to-Head Games

The Kings won the opening two events at home, 126-123 and 114-106, before the Warriors pulled back for three in a row, 114-97 and 126-125, both at the Chase Center. Steve Kerr’s boys triumphed at the Golden One Center, too, 123-116, before Friday’s failure in San Francisco.

Prediction

The Kings are our pick here. Yes, the Warriors have more experience in the cases like this one, but on the other side, the energy of the Kings is incredible, especially now, with the swing from winning Game 6 and avoiding an elimination boosting their morale. Let us remind you that Sacramento had equally poor shooting percentages like the Warriors and still got on top. That’s why we strongly believe this team has what it takes to beat the champs and advance to the Western Conference semifinals. Mike Brown’s crew can go even to the conference finals. 

Pick: Sacramento Kings -110