Draymond predicts Kings will beat Pelicans ‘pretty easily’ in play-in game

Draymond predicts Kings will beat Pelicans ‘pretty easily’ in play-in game originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area

After the Kings defeated his Warriors on Tuesday night in the NBA Play-In Tournament, Draymond Green doesn’t believe Sacramento’s postseason journey will end anytime soon.

In giving his predictions for Friday’s two play-in games, Green projected that the Kings defeat a Pelicans team without Zion Williamson to advance to the first round of the NBA playoffs.

“Without Zion, I think the Kings should win pretty easily,” Green said Thursday on “The Draymond Green Show.” “No game of this magnitude is easy. The Kings beat us pretty easily. I’m sure they didn’t think it was that easy – it’s maximum effort. So take what I say with a grain of salt. But I think the Kings get in.” They have experience, they came here last year during the playoffs and won a game. They have experience.

“If their defense is flying like it was flying against us without Zion, it’s Zion’s 24 points he averages on the floor, but it’s about 50 to 55 points with his impact with people shrinking and receiving 3s and the pressure he puts on the rim, defenses crumble and you take a hit, a hit – that’s a huge loss.

“It’s a huge loss and they won’t be able to get over it, in my opinion.”

Sacramento has lost all five regular season games against New Orleans this season, including a confrontation on January 7th without Williamson. The Pelicans humiliated the Kings in a 133-100 victory at Golden 1 Center, and boos erupted inside the arena as New Orleans led by as many as 50.

Like Green, however, the Kings won’t focus on their 0-5 record against the Pelicans, and will only look at the game ahead.

The winner of Friday’s game will earn a first-round meeting with the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder. The loser goes home – for good.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast