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Preview: New Orleans faces Sacramento, aims for 5th straight road win

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 04: Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the New Orleans Pelicans dunks the ball against Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings in the second quarter of an NBA In-Season Tournament Knockout Round game at Golden 1 Center on December 04, 2023 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)

New Orleans Pelicans (47-32, sixth in the Western Conference) vs. Sacramento Kings (45-34, eighth in the Western Conference)

Sacramento, California; Thursday, 10 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: New Orleans will try to keep its four-game road win streak intact when the Pelicans take on Sacramento.

The Kings are 29-20 against Western Conference opponents. Sacramento averages 116.5 points and has outscored opponents by 1.4 points per game.

The Pelicans are 28-21 against Western Conference opponents. New Orleans is 1-7 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.

The Kings’ 14.4 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.9 more made shots on average than the 13.5 per game the Pelicans give up. The Pelicans are shooting 48.6% from the field, 0.5% higher than the 48.1% the Kings’ opponents have shot this season.

The teams square off for the fifth time this season. The Pelicans won the last meeting 127-117 on Dec. 5, with Brandon Ingram scoring 30 points in the victory.

TOP PERFORMERS: De’Aaron Fox is shooting 46.5% and averaging 26.5 points for the Kings. Keegan Murray is averaging 18.1 points over the last 10 games.

CJ McCollum is shooting 45.5% and averaging 19.7 points for the Pelicans. Trey Murphy III is averaging 2.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Kings: 5-5, averaging 107.3 points, 46.8 rebounds, 26.6 assists, 7.1 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 42.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 105.3 points per game.

Pelicans: 5-5, averaging 108.7 points, 42.3 rebounds, 25.1 assists, 8.9 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 45.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.9 points.

INJURIES: Kings: Malik Monk: out (mcl sprain), Kevin Huerter: out for season (shoulder).

Pelicans: Brandon Ingram: out (knee), Naji Marshall: out (shoulder).