Kings vs Suns Prediction, Odds & Game Preview 4/13/2025

With home-court advantage in the play-in tournament at stake, the Sacramento Kings host a Phoenix Suns squad that's limping to the finish line of what's been a disastrous season for a team that once had championship aspirations.

The Kings, needing this win to secure the ninth seed, will rely on their seventh-ranked offense led by Zach LaVine's hot hand to counter their league-worst three-point defense, while the Suns—playing without stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker—have little left to fight for beyond pride after dropping eight of their last nine games.

All eyes will be on whether the Kings can finally lock up their postseason positioning or if the Suns can play spoiler when the Sacramento Kings face off against the Phoenix Suns in what promises to be a desperate battle for one team and a mere formality for the other.

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Sacramento Kings vs. Phoenix Suns preview

The Sacramento Kings host the Phoenix Suns in a season finale with dramatically different stakes for each squad - the Kings fighting for the ninth seed and home-court advantage in their first play-in game while the Suns are just looking to end a miserable campaign.

Sacramento (39-42) has squandered two chances to lock up that ninth seed, but they've dominated this matchup recently, going 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 meetings with Phoenix.

The Kings will lean on their seventh-ranked offense led by DeMar DeRozan (22.4 PPG) and Zach LaVine (22.6 PPG), though they'll miss sixth man Malik Monk who's sidelined for this contest.

Phoenix limps into this matchup having lost eight of their last nine games and will be severely shorthanded with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker both out, leaving Bradley Beal to carry the offensive load.

Defense has been the Achilles' heel for both teams - Phoenix ranks 27th in defensive rating while Sacramento isn't much better at 22nd, setting up what could be a high-scoring affair despite the absences.

The Kings' rebounding advantage could prove decisive, as they've thoroughly outrebounded the Suns in head-to-head matchups this season and boast the NBA's second-highest defensive rebounding rate.

Look for Sacramento to attack Phoenix's vulnerable interior defense, where the Suns rank 29th in points in the paint allowed this season.

With the Kings desperate for a win to secure that home play-in game, expect them to come out firing against a depleted Suns team that's already thinking about vacation plans.

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