by Chuck Sommers
Sunday, Oct 24, 2021
Time: 9 p.m. ET
Venue: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
Where to watch: NBCSCA, NBCSBA
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Warriors -3.5; O/U 231; Warriors -150, Kings +130
BetMGM: Warriors -3.5; O/U 231.5; Warriors -161, Kings +135
Caesars: Warriors -3.5; O/U 231; Warriors -160, Kings +140
Season record
Warriors: 2-0
Kings: 1-1
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Warriors - Kings preview and analysis
Recent form
Warriors: won 115-113 vs. Clippers on Thursday
Kings: lost 110-101 vs. Jazz on Friday
Friends, we’ve got a healthy Steph Curry playing for the Golden State Warriors.
Please proceed to the nearest bunker, make sure you have all snacks and water available to you because for the next six months, Super Saiyan God Curry is about to go nuclear on the NBA.
Curry said he played like trash on opening night against the Los Angeles Lakers … and the man had a triple-double. So what does he do for an encore two nights later? Nothing really, just dropping 45 and 10 rebounds on the Los Angeles Clippers for a two-point win.
You still thought the Clippers and Lakers were the best teams in California, huh?
Well, the Warriors will try to start the season 3-0 facing yet another California club. This time, it’s the Sacramento Kings and their young star-studded backcourt that has high aspirations of making a playoff run this year.
I think with everything that’s transpired the last few years we as a basketball society have forgotten the thought that Curry is still God on a basketball court. The Warriors have seen small cracks in their dynasty with not only Kevin Durant leaving, but Klay Thompson not having played basketball in two full seasons.
Yet in the time that we wait for Thompson to make his return and drop threes on everyone, Curry and co. are still hanging around and look as good as they have in a long time. Curry put up a vintage performance against the Clippers making 16 of 25 from the floor and 8 of 13 from three.
Again, two nights after putting up that triple-double and leading his team to a come-from-behind victory against LeBron James and the Lakers in Staples Center on Tuesday. An offense running through Curry like this remains the greatest display of art we’ve ever seen.
You can never count out the Warriors for as long as Curry is healthy. They’re going to get Thompson back, and they’ll eventually get James Wiseman back as their starting center.
But this isn’t your dad’s Kings the Warriors are facing on Sunday, hence why the spread is a one-basket affair. The Kings are a much-improved team with that star backcourt of De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton. Somehow, those aren’t the guards they’re talking about.
Davion Mitchell, the ninth overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft, was brought on as a defensive stalwart that’s tasked with facing the best offensive players every night. In their season opener, the Kings shocked the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland, primarily due to 36 points from Harrison Barnes.
But the story of that night was Mitchell holding Damian Lillard to just 8 of 24 shooting. C.J. McCollum got his with 34 points but not enough in the end. Just when you thought the Kings wouldn’t have their replacement for Buddy Hield, through two games he’s passing with flying colors.
If Mitchell contains Curry to that extent, it might be the most ridiculous night of basketball we’ve ever seen. Not that we should expect such tomfoolery, but man this is going to be a fun game.
Prediction
The fact the Kings are hovering around 3.5 to 4 as an underdog is quite remarkable. I know the Warriors aren’t the fully-stocked championship contender yet, but at least to the point where they should dominate against these teams. I got the Warriors winning this one, but with the Kings at home, this will be closer than most think. Warriors by 6
Betting trends
The Warriors are 4-12 the past three seasons ATS when the line is between +3 and -3.
The under is also 13-3 in the Warriors’ last 16 when it’s between +3 and -3.
The over is 24-11 in the Kings’ last 35 following a home loss.
Projected starting lineup
Warriors:
PG: Stephen Curry
SG: Jordan Poole
SF: Andrew Wiggins
PF: Draymond Green
C: Kevon Looney
SF: Andrew Wiggins
PF: Draymond Green
C: Kevon Looney
Kings:
PG: De’Aaron Fox
SG: Tyrese Haliburton
SF: Harrison Barnes
PF: Mo Harkless
C: Richaun Holmes
SF: Harrison Barnes
PF: Mo Harkless
C: Richaun Holmes
Statistical leaders
Warriors:
Points: Steph Curry -- 33.0
Rebounds: Steph Curry -- 10.0
Assists: Draymond Green -- 6.5
Blocks: Andre Iguodala -- 1.0
Steals: Steph Curry -- 2.0
Kings:
Points: Harrison Barnes -- 30.5
Rebounds: Harrison Barnes -- 12.0
Assists: De’Aaron Fox -- 6.5
Blocks: Richaun Homes -- 2.5
Steals: De’Aaron Fox -- 2.5
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
