Winless Kings bring NBA's worst net rating to New Orleans

The Sacramento Kings (0-4), owners of the NBA's worst net rating, visit the New Orleans Pelicans (0-4) on Thursday, October 29, in a game that turns on a Kings defense ranked 29th. Tip-off is at 8:00 PM ET.

Sacramento's net rating of -17.3 is last among 30 teams, and it starts on defense. The Kings allow 122.1 points per 100 possessions, 29th, and opponents post a 57.9 effective field goal percentage against them, 28th.

New Orleans scores 109.3 per 100, 16th, and gets to the line, with a free throw rate of 0.323, sixth in the league. Sacramento allows 0.295, 15th.

The Pelicans have a hole of their own on defense, allowing 114.7 per 100, 23rd, while the Kings score only 104.9, 25th.

Zach LaVine leads the Kings with 27.3 points a game on 52.2% shooting, and Domantas Sabonis averages 16.5 rebounds and 7.3 assists. For New Orleans, Zion Williamson scores 21.8 a game on 59.3% shooting and leads the team with 2.8 steals. Derik Queen grabs 9.3 rebounds.

Sacramento is thin. Keegan Murray (33.2 minutes a game), Maxime Raynaud (26.6) and Dylan Cardwell (20.1) are out, as are two more Kings. New Orleans is without Yves Missi, who blocks two shots a game. Jordan Poole is listed day-to-day.

Both teams are on four-game losing streaks. The Kings lost three of theirs by double digits, including a 130-103 defeat at San Antonio. The Pelicans lost three by six points or fewer, among them 120-119 at Utah and 123-120 to Indiana.

Sportsbooks' prices give the Pelicans a 67% chance to win, and Keel's projection, built from the players available, puts it at 58%.