Opinion
3 min read

Can the Sacramento Kings Conquer the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center?

As the Sacramento Kings prepare to face off against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center, fans are eager to see if their team can continue its recent dominance on the court. The Kings have been on a roll, as evidenced by their impressive victory over the Golden State Warriors with a score of 118-94 on April 17th. That game showcased Sacramento's ability to control both ends of the floor, boasting an efficiency game score of 105.2 and an assists turnover ratio of 3.5.


SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 11: Naji Marshall #8 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots over Davion Mitchell #15 of the Sacramento Kings during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on April 11, 2024 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The Kings' performance against Portland Trail Blazers on April 14th further solidified their status as a force to be reckoned with this season. They not only secured a commanding win with a scoreline of 121-82 but also demonstrated remarkable depth, with bench players contributing significantly to that triumph.


However, it wasn't all smooth sailing for SAC in recent outings; they faced stiff competition from Phoenix Suns just one day before their victory over GSW. Despite falling short by one point in that nail-biter (107-108), SAC showed resilience and an ability to compete against top-tier teams.


SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 11: Davion Mitchell #15 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 11, 2024 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Looking ahead at their upcoming clash with NOP, there are several factors working in SAC's favor. Their three-point shooting percentage stood at an impressive 46 percent against GSW and even more noteworthy was their second-chance points tally—25 points—which could be pivotal in close encounters like these.


On the other side, NOP will not make things easy for SAC; they'll need every ounce of skill and strategy to overcome them on their home turf. The Pelicans' venue has been known as a challenging environment for visiting teams but given SAC's current form and momentum, there is every reason for optimism among fans.


SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 11: Davion Mitchell #15 of the Sacramento Kings dribbles the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on April 11, 2024 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The key matchup will likely involve controlling the paint and capitalizing on fast-break opportunities—a facet where SAC excelled recently by scoring 12 fast-break points against GSW while maintaining defensive solidity through five blocks.


In conclusion, if recent performances are anything to go by, it seems plausible that Sacramento Kings could indeed conquer New Orleans Pelicans come game day—April 19th at Smoothie King Center scheduled for tip-off at 6:30 PM local time (9:30 PM ET). Fans won't want to miss what promises to be an enthralling encounter which can be caught live on TNT or truTV networks.

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