Game Details
Tipoff is scheduled for 11:00 PM ET (8:00 PM PT local time).
Venue: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California. This is the home arena for the Sacramento Kings, with a capacity of approximately 17,608. It’s known for its modern design and energetic crowd, having hosted the Kings since 2016 and featuring advanced amenities like high-definition video boards.
Recent Team Forms
Dallas Mavericks: The Mavericks have been inconsistent, going 3-7 in their last 10 games with a 4-6 ATS record. They’ve relied on star scoring but faltered defensively (allowing 118.2 PPA recently).
Their last five games reflect mixed results:
Jan 3, 2026: W 110-104 vs. Houston Rockets (gritty home win; overcame early deficit with strong fourth quarter).
Jan 1, 2026: L 108-123 vs. Philadelphia 76ers (blown out at home; poor shooting and turnovers).
Dec 31, 2025: L at Oklahoma City Thunder (close road loss; defensive lapses in overtime).
Dec 29, 2025: W vs. Utah Jazz (balanced effort; efficient offense).
Dec 27, 2025: L at Denver Nuggets (struggled with rebounding). Overall form: W-L-L-W-L, with a -3.8 point differential in the last five. Away form is weak (5-13), but they’ve averaged 112.6 PPG on the road. Season stats: 113.5 PPG (20th), 116.4 PPA (22nd), 43.2 RPG (20th).
Sacramento Kings: The Kings are slumping, going 2-8 in their last 10 with a 0-5 ATS in their last five, amid a five-game skid and poor home performance.
Their last five games highlight defensive woes:
Jan 4, 2026: L 98-115 vs. Milwaukee Bucks (overpowered inside; allowed 37 from Antetokounmpo).
Jan 2, 2026: L 102-129 at Phoenix Suns (routed on the road; shot just 42% FG).
Dec 31, 2025: L vs. Los Angeles Clippers (close but faded late; turnover issues).
Dec 29, 2025: L at Golden State Warriors (defensive collapse in second half).
Dec 27, 2025: L vs. Portland Trail Blazers (poor shooting night). Overall form: L-L-L-L-L, with a -15.2 point differential in the last five. Home form is dismal (3-15), allowing 122.3 PPA (worst in league). Season stats: 108.8 PPG (28th), 122.3 PPA (30th), 42.9 RPG (24th).
Series History
The Dallas Mavericks hold a strong all-time edge over the Sacramento Kings, leading 103-84 in 187 regular-season meetings.
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Dallas has dominated recently, winning 4 of the last 5 games and covering the spread in 3 of those.
Key recent matchups:
Dec 27, 2025: Mavericks 118-110 Kings (Dallas pulled away late; high-scoring affair).
Mar 3, 2025: Mavericks 112-105 Kings (defensive battle; Mavericks +7 rebounding).
Earlier 2024-25: Mavericks won two more by double digits. Dallas leads the 2025-26 season series 1-0, outscoring Sacramento by an average of 8 points in recent games. Unders have hit in 8 of the last 10 H2H, averaging 218 points, reflecting physical, low-pace contests in this Western Conference rivalry.
Injury Report
Dallas Mavericks:
Kyrie Irving (G): Out indefinitely (knee injury; no return timetable, major blow to backcourt).
Other notes: No additional major injuries reported, but monitor for load management with Luka Dončić (probable, managing minor ailments).
Sacramento Kings:
Domantas Sabonis (C): Out (ongoing injury; hasn’t played with Murray this season).
Keegan Murray (F): Out (left ankle injury; left Jan 4 game vs. Bucks).
Keon Ellis (G): Out (left thumb injury; injured in first half vs. Bucks on Jan 4).
The Kings’ injuries decimate their frontcourt and depth, forcing reliance on DeMar DeRozan and De’Aaron Fox.
Key Player Matchups
This Western Conference tilt features guard-heavy battles, with Dallas’s offense testing Sacramento’s depleted defense. Expect a focus on perimeter scoring and transition play in a potentially high-scoring game.
Luka Dončić (DAL, G) vs. De’Aaron Fox (SAC, G): Dončić (33.6 PPG leader) is Dallas’s offensive engine, using pick-and-rolls to create. Fox (quick defender, 25 PPG) must contain his drives; this point guard duel could dictate pace, with Dončić’s size giving him an edge.
Klay Thompson (DAL, G) vs. DeMar DeRozan (SAC, F): Thompson (18 PPG, 38% 3PT) provides spacing for Dallas. DeRozan (22 PPG, mid-range specialist) tests Thompson’s defense; DeRozan’s scoring versatility could exploit mismatches.
P.J. Washington (DAL, F) vs. Malik Monk (SAC, G): Washington (versatile forward, 14 PPG) steps up with injuries, containing Monk’s bench scoring (20 PPG). This matchup highlights wing athleticism.
Daniel Gafford (DAL, C) vs. Alex Len (SAC, C): With Sabonis out, Len fills in (rim protector). Gafford (12 PPG, 8 RPG) dominates the paint; his rebounding could overwhelm Sacramento’s weak interior.
Betting Trends
Dallas Mavericks: 12-24 ATS overall (6-12 ATS away). They’ve gone 16-20 on over/under (8-10 O/U away). Trends: 1-4 ATS in last 5 games, 7-13 ATS in last 20 vs. Kings, 0-7 ATS in last 7 road games; under in 4 of last 5 road games vs. Kings; 2-5 ATS vs. Western Conference.
Sacramento Kings: 10-26 ATS overall (7-11 ATS home). 15-21 on over/under (8-10 O/U home). Trends: 0-5 ATS in last 5 games, 0-5 SU in last 5, under in 4 of last 6 games; under in 8 of last 10 vs. Dallas; 3-11 SU in last 14 home games; 1-7 ATS in January games.
Head-to-Head: Mavericks 4-1 ATS in last 5 meetings; under in 8 of last 10 (average 218 points). NBA trends: Road favorites like Dallas are 55% ATS vs. sub-.300 teams; games with bottom defenses like Kings hit the over 52% when totals are 230+.
Game Odds
Dallas Mavericks – 5.5
Sacramento Kings 231.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, January 5, 2026
