Suns vs Kings Prediction, Odds & Best Bets | NBA Betting (12/22): Sparks Fly at Golden 1 Center

Today’s Suns vs Kings prediction is brought to you by Bovada. Bovada is a market leader in sports betting, offering a variety of options from the NBA to the UFC and everything in between.

The NBA has a six-game slate lined up for Friday, Dec. 22, featuring a West-Coast clash between the Phoenix Suns (14-13) and Sacramento Kings (16-10) at 10 p.m. ET.

Frank Vogel on Sacramento:

“Having Kevin Durant back out there is where it starts.”

Here’s what he said when I asked what’s correctable from the last time #Suns played the Kings.

De’Aaron Fox had 23 fourth-quarter points. pic.twitter.com/dQKvA5IYd2

— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) December 21, 2023

The Suns continue to struggle ahead of Christmas, falling to 3-73 SU in their last four games with Tuesday’s 109-104 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Kings, meanwhile, had their winning streak snapped at three games with a 144-119 defeat at the hands of the Boston Celtics two nights ago.

When it comes to Bovada’s 2023-24 NBA Finals odds entering tonight’s game, Phoenix sits fourth at +800 while Sacramento is available at +3300 (T-11th).

There won’t be any shortage of betting opportunities when these teams collide at Golden 1 Center and I’m here to help. Let’s dive into my Suns vs Kings predictions and best bets tonight.

Suns vs Kings NBA Tonight (Dec. 22)

Suns vs Kings Matchup Information

• Matchup: Phoenix Suns (14-13, 7-5 Away) vs. Sacramento Kings (16-10, 10-4 Home)
• Venue & Location: Golden 1 Center (Sacramento, CA)
• Date: Friday, Dec. 22, 2023
• Game Time: 10 p.m. Eastern Time
• Suns vs. Kings TV Channel Info: NBA TV

Suns vs Kings Odds & Spread

Suns vs. Kings odds courtesy of Bovada as of Friday, Dec. 22 at 9:07 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Suns vs Kings Spread

• Phoenix Suns +3.5 (-105)
• Sacramento Kings -3.5 (-115)

Suns vs Kings Over/Under

• Over 243.5 Points (-115)
• Under 243.5 Points (-105)

Suns vs Kings Moneyline

• Phoenix Suns (+135)
• Sacramento Kings (-160)

---

NBA Best Bets and Picks Tonight

Looking to get in on even more basketball action? Be sure to check out our NBA Picks page for consensus picks for every game on any day of the year.

You can also check out:

• NBA betting odds
• NBA news and betting predictions
• How to bet on the NBA

---

Suns vs Kings Betting Trends

• Phoenix is 2-4 straight up in its last six games vs. Sacramento.
• Sacramento is 5-2 straight up in its last seven games.
• Phoenix is 1-10 ATS in its last 11 games played in December.
• Sacramento is 5-1 ATS in its last six games played on a Friday.
• The total hit the Under in four of Phoenix’s last five road games.
• The total hit the Over in nine of Sacramento’s last 10 home games.

Suns vs Kings Prediction & Pick (Dec. 22)

Tonight’s matchup marks the second of five matchups between the Suns and Kings this season. They previously clashed on Dec. 8 in a matchup where Sacramento notched the 114-106 victory thanks to De’Aaron Fox’s game-high 34 points.

While the Kings have every right to be proud of that victory, it’s worth noting that the Suns did not have Kevin Durant that night. The two-time NBA Finals MVP has been key to any success Phoenix has seen so far, averaging 31.0 points on .518/.467/.870 splits while adding 6.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.1 blocks. He’s also coming off a 40-point showing against the Trail Blazers.

But while the Suns will have Durant on the court, they’ll be missing other key players. Bradley Beal (ankle) and Jusuf Nurkic (personal) have both been ruled out of Friday’s contest while Josh Okogie will be a game-time decision due to a hip injury.

The Kings’ injury situation is a bit more favorable. Alex Len (ankle), Malik Monk (foot), and JaVale McGee (wrist) are all questionable but nobody has been ruled out just yet.

Being shorthanded makes it difficult to believe that the Suns can get out of their current slump. Not only have they dropped five of their last seven games, but they’ve been held to 106 points or fewer in each of their last three outings. That’s likely due to the team’s struggles at the three-point line, where they’re averaging just 7.7 threes on 28.0% shooting during that stretch.

The Kings, on the other side, boast the sixth-best offense at home this season, averaging 123.6 PPG. They also average the second-most threes on the sixth-highest success rate at home, meaning they can put things out of reach early on if the Suns’ shooting woes continue.

It’s also worth noting that Phoenix has struggled lately as far as this Pacific Division rivalry is concerned, losing four of its last six games against Sacramento. In fact, the Kings have won each of the last three matchups by an 8.3-point average, which includes a 135-127 win in their last meeting at Golden 1 Center back in March.

Given the Suns’ current situation, I’m siding with the Kings tonight. Phoenix just doesn’t look confident at the moment and already lost to Sacramento once this season. The Suns can’t rely on Durant and Devin Booker to carry them every night, which will lead to the Kings’ deeper lineup pulling away as the game goes on — especially if the visitors’ three-point shooting is off again.

With that in mind, let’s also take Sacramento on the spread. The Suns are a putrid 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games and are just 5-6-1 ATS on the road. While the Kings’ ATS record at home is even (7-7), they have covered the spread five times in their last seven meetings with the Suns.

Winning by four or more points won’t be an issue.

Suns vs Kings Prediction: SAC wins

Best Suns vs Kings Bet: SAC -3.5 (-115)

Get 50% up to $750 on this pick over on Bovada

Best Suns vs Kings NBA Player Prop (Dec. 22)

After sifting through the Suns vs. Kings player props, I’ve decided on Kevin Durant over 31.5 points.

Durant has terrorized defenses over the last 18 games, averaging 32.0 points while shooting 51.3% from the floor and 48.9% from beyond the arc. He’s also hit the Over on this prop in four of his last six road games, which includes the 40-piece earlier this week. Additionally, he’s finished with 32-plus points in three of his last seven meetings with the Kings.

With a 243.5-point total indicating that we’ll likely see a shootout tonight, expect Durant to be at the forefront of the fireworks.

Best Suns vs Kings Prop Bet: Kevin Durant o31.5 Points (-115)

Get 50% up to $750 on this pick over on Bovada

---

2023-24 NBA Futures Betting Articles

• 2024 NBA Championship Winner Odds, Favorites, and Predictions
• 2023/24 NBA Awards, Predictions & Best Bets
• NBA Scoring Leader Odds
• 2023 NBA Eastern Conference Divisional Preview, Predictions, & Best Bets
• 2023 NBA Western Conference Divisional Preview, Predictions, & Best Bets