After a long hiatus, the Sacramento Kings are back in the NBA Playoffs picture and as a No. 3 seed in the Western Conference in their first trip back to boot. However, it doesn’t get any easier for the Kings in the first round, as they’re set to take on the defending champions the Golden State Warriors. Who’ll draw first blood on Saturday’s primetime game in this massive series between neighboring Cali rivals?

Nitrobetting is ready to dish out key assists and lob passes with betting tips and news coverage throughout the 2023 NBA Playoffs. This time, let’s break down the upcoming Game 1 first-round showdown between the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings.

Warriors vs. Kings Game 1 2023 NBA Playoffs First-Round Information

The loudest fans in the NBA return to the Playoffs pic.twitter.com/mVYGLfKW27

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) April 13, 2023

• When: Saturday, April 15, 2023, 8:30 PM ET
• Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
• TV: ABC
• Radio: 95.7 The Game (Warriors) // Sports 1140 KHTK (Kings)
• Live Stream: NBA League Pass
• NBA Betting Odds: Warriors (+1.5) / Kings (-1.5)

READ MORE: Hawks vs. Celtics 2023 NBA Playoffs Odds and Game 1 Preview – April 15th

Why Bet on the Golden State Warriors?

Could the Golden State Warriors have played all of us as fools all along? The reigning NBA champions merely finished as the No. 6 team in the Western Conference’s playoff picture with several key injuries and a dismal 11-30 record on the road derailing their campaign time and again.

On the bright side, Golden State made a nice sprint toward the end of the regular season by winning 10 of its last 15 games and with four victories over the team’s last five road games to boot. Future Hall of Famer Stephen Curry hasn’t lost a step, either, as the 35-year-old phenom averaged 29.4 points on nearly 50 percent field-goal shooting, 6.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game.

As expected, the Dubs’ lethal long-range scoring proficiency is what keeps them a huge postseason threat. They average an NBA-best 16.6 made three-pointers per game, as Curry, Klay Thompson, Jordan Poole, and newcomer Donte DiVincenzo have been lighting it up from deep all season long. The Warriors will even get a boost in the first-round series against the Kings with the return of Andrew Wiggins, who’s missed the past few games dealing with a personal family matter.

Why Bet on the Sacramento Kings?

For the first time in 17 seasons, the Sacramento Kings are back in the postseason and are coming in strong having secured the third seed in a stacked Western Conference. The Kings have to thank the Warriors for a part of their success, as former Golden State assistant coach Mike Brown did a fantastic job of turning the franchise around in his first year at the helm.

A couple of key players did the heavy lifting for Sacramento. Point Guard De’Aaron Fox averaged 25 points and 6.1 assists per game while shooting over 51 percent from the field and is in line to win the first-ever NBA Clutch Player of the Year Award as the top scorer in clutch moments during the regular season. Meanwhile, Domantas Sabonis is also averaging eye-popping numbers himself (19.1 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 7,3 APG, 61.5 FG%) and also made the All-Star roster for the third time in four years.

All things considered, Sacramento has the firepower to rival the sharpshooting Dubs. The Kings ranked first in offensive efficiency, averaging 118.6 points per 100 possessions, and fifth in three-point shooting with 13.3 shots from deep on average. It goes without saying that they’ll have to capitalize on their home-court advantage in Game 1, especially given Golden State’s struggles on the road.

Warriors vs. Kings Betting Trends

• The Warriors are 8-1 in the last nine meetings against the Kings (4-5 ATS).
• As mentioned earlier, the Dubs have won four of their last five road games (3-2 ATS).
• The totals went under three of Golden State’s last five road games.
• The Kings are 5-2 in the last seven home games (1-6 ATS).
• The Kings are 8-4 in its last 12 games as favorites to win (7-5 ATS).
• The totals went under each of Sacramento’s last four outings.

Warriors vs. Kings Game 1 Expert Betting Predictions

With the Warriors at full strength, it’s hard not to bet on the defending champs, especially with their recent dominance over the Kings in specific. However, the home crowd at the Golden 1 Center will likely fuel a spirited Game 1 effort for Sacramento, whom we predict will take the series opener in a relatively convincing fashion thanks to a memorable playoff debut from Fox.

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This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at Nitrobetting news. Stay tuned for more 2022-23 NBA season previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest basketball betting odds on our online BTC sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.