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Pelicans vs. Kings prediction: New Orleans favored to win Thursday's NBA game [3/5/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Jason Bevilacqua, Head of Content and Communities
Get New Orleans Pelicans vs Sacramento Kings predictions for NBA Thursday.
NBA action continues on Thursday at 10:00 PM ET as the favored New Orleans Pelicans square off with the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center.
Based on the latest simulations and today’s injury reports, Dimers' advanced NBA model projects the Pelicans as the most likely winner of the Pelicans vs. Kings game.
This prediction follows the latest NBA Injury Report, which suggests the Kings lineup will feature players like DeMar DeRozan, Russell Westbrook and Maxime Raynaud, while the Pelicans will look to Trey Murphy, Zion Williamson and Saddiq Bey.
This article offers an expanded analysis of Thursday's matchup, including an expanded look at the predicted score, best bets and player prop picks.
Pelicans vs. Kings prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using innovative machine learning and data, we have simulated the result of Thursday's NBA game between the Pelicans and Kings 10,000 times as part of our NBA predictions coverage.
Our independent predictive model gives the Pelicans a 71% chance of defeating the Kings. Our predicted final score has the Pelicans winning 120-114.
According to our model, the Kings (+6.5) have a 52% chance of covering the spread, while the 235.5-point over/under has a 53% chance of staying under.
Pelicans vs. Kings odds
We have sourced the best NBA odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Pelicans | Kings |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | -6.5 (-110) | +6.5 (-105) |
| Moneyline | -260 | +225 |
| Total | o235.5 (-110) | u235.5 (-105) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Pelicans vs. Kings picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Kings +6.5 | -105 |
| Moneyline | Pelicans | -260 |
| Total | Under 235.5 | -105 |
According to our best NBA bets for Thursday, the top play to make on this game is Under 235.5 total points.
These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.
Pelicans vs. Kings player props
Betting on Pelicans vs. Kings NBA prop bets? We have crunched the numbers to project how each team's leading players will perform at Golden 1 Center.
Trey Murphy is expected to lead the Pelicans with 24 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, while DeMar DeRozan is projected to have 17 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists for the Kings.
Check out our NBA player projections for a full range of projected box scores, including points, assists, rebounds and today's NBA first basket picks.
Pelicans prediction
Our model's projected player stats for the Pelicans are:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trey Murphy | 24 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 42 |
| Zion Williamson | 24 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 42 |
| Saddiq Bey | 21 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 37 |
| Jeremiah Fears | 14 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 30 |
| Herbert Jones | 11 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 26 |
Kings prediction
Projected points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers made for the Kings:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeMar DeRozan | 17 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 29 |
| R. Westbrook | 15 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 34 |
| Maxime Raynaud | 15 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 34 |
| Nique Clifford | 14 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 32 |
| P. Achiuwa | 12 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 32 |
Pelicans vs. Kings game-day updates and essential details
Thursday's game between the Kings and Pelicans at Golden 1 Center is scheduled to begin at 10:00 PM ET.
- Who: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Sacramento Kings
- Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026
- Time: 10:00 PM ET/7:00PM PT
- Venue: Golden 1 Center
Conclusion
We predict the Pelicans, with a 71% win probability, will likely beat the Kings on Thursday, with Trey Murphy projected for a game-high 42 fantasy points.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Pelicans vs. Kings insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are sourced from up-to-date data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Jason Bevilacqua, an expert in MLB, NHL, NBA, MLS, and NFL, delivers game previews, best bets, and props. Since 2020, as Head of Social and Community at Dimers, he has contributed insightful articles utilizing data-driven models and simulations.
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