As the Kings travel to face the Hornets, all eyes should be on Malik Monk, particularly when it comes to his rebounding numbers. With an average of just 1.4 rebounds in away games lately, Monk's ability to crash the boards has been inconsistent. While he has managed to snag 2.6 rebounds against the Hornets historically, those figures are skewed by earlier performances; his recent form is telling a different story.In his last five outings, he's only cleared the 2.5 mark once. Moreover, facing a Hornets team that typically dominates the glass, Monk might find himself less involved in securing boards, especially if his role shifts more towards scoring. With an expected stat value of just 1.59, the under on 2.5 rebounds looks like a smart play, especially as the Kings adjust to a tough away environment.
Malik Monk (Sacramento Kings) Under 2.5 Threes Made (-132)
Odds available at fanduel at time of publishingWhen it comes to Malik Monk in this matchup against the Hornets, expecting him to drain more than 2.5 threes feels optimistic. Sure, he's showcased some shooting prowess lately, but let's dig into the numbers. On the road, Monk is averaging just 1.4 threes per game, and against the Hornets, that number dips slightly to 1.5. In fact, over the last five games, he's only managed to hit 2.4 threes on average, which isn't quite enough to clear the 2.5 mark consistently. While he's had a decent hit rate overall, his away performance has been especially subdued, with a perfect 4-for-4 streak recently-yet those numbers can be misleading. Facing the Hornets' defense, which is formidable at home, Monk might struggle to find his rhythm. Taking the Under on 2.5 threes is a strategic play that aligns well with the trends.
LaMelo Ball (Charlotte Hornets) Under 3.5 Threes Made (+116)
Odds available at fanduel at time of publishingAs LaMelo Ball takes the court at home against the Kings, the spotlight shifts to his three-point shooting, where we find ourselves eyeing the under on 3.5 made threes. Yes, he's a dynamic scorer, but a closer look reveals a trend that favors this bet. Over the last five games, Ball has made an average of 4.8 threes, yet against Sacramento specifically, he's only netted 3.2, and remarkably, he hasn't hit a single three against them at home in their last matchup.The Kings' defense has a knack for contesting perimeter shots, and Ball's hit rate at home dips to 60% over the last 15 games. With an expected stat value of just 3.21 threes based on recent performances, it's clear that the odds are stacked against him. So, while he's a playmaker, let's lean into the notion that tonight, LaMelo might struggle to find his rhythm