Pacers vs Kings Prediction, Odds & Game Preview 3/31/2025

The Indiana Pacers welcome the struggling Sacramento Kings to Gainbridge Fieldhouse tonight in what could be a pivotal matchup for both teams' playoff ambitions.

While the Pacers fight to maintain their fourth seed in the Eastern Conference (just one game ahead of Detroit), the Kings are desperately clinging to the Western Conference's final play-in spot with a paper-thin margin over Phoenix and a concerning 3-7 record in their last ten outings.

The perimeter battle might tell the story - Sacramento's dead-last 3-point defense faces Indiana's seventh-ranked long-range shooting as the home team Pacers look to replicate their dominant 122-95 victory over the away team Kings from earlier this season.

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Indiana Pacers vs. Sacramento Kings preview

The struggling Sacramento Kings limp into Gainbridge Fieldhouse Monday night clinging to the Western Conference's final play-in spot with their postseason hopes hanging by a thread.

DeMar DeRozan has been a bright spot for Sacramento, dropping 21 points in their recent blowout loss to Orlando, while former Pacer Domantas Sabonis returns to his old stomping grounds looking to improve on his 14-point, 13-rebound effort from Saturday.

Indiana, meanwhile, sits precariously in the East's fourth seed, just one game ahead of Detroit despite going 7-3 in their last ten contests.

The matchup presents a glaring weakness for the Kings to exploit – they rank dead last in the NBA in perimeter defense while facing a Pacers squad that's seventh in three-point shooting percentage.

Tyrese Haliburton continues to be the engine that drives Indiana's offense, having torched Washington for 29 points on 60% shooting in their last victory before stumbling against OKC.

When these teams faced off earlier this season, the Pacers absolutely demolished Sacramento 122-95, suggesting a long night ahead for the Kings.

Though Pacers home fans can take comfort in their team's stellar 24-10 record at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, they'll need to monitor the status of Bennedict Mathurin, who remains a game-time decision.

I'm expecting an offensive showcase with both teams pushing pace – the Kings ranked 10th in tempo – but Indiana's home-court advantage and three-point proficiency should prove too much for Sacramento to handle.