Stephen Nover's NBA Thursday Top Ticket
(NBA) New Orleans vs. Sacramento,
Money Line: -120.00 New Orleans (Away)
Result: Win
I'm not expecting Anthony Davis to play. It's a monster bonus if Davis were to play. I'm not counting on that, though.

The Pelicans are better than the Kings even if Davis is out after tweaking his knee in the Pelicans' last game two days ago. An MRI exam did come back negative.

DeMarcus Cousins has been pointing to this game all summer in his return to Sacramento. Cousins is off to a great start averaging 31 points, 12 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.3 blocks.

Yet, the Pelicans are just 1-3. All of their losses have been against tough foes - Grizzlies on the road, Warriors and Trail Blazers on the road when Davis got hurt five minutes into the game.

New Orleans took care of business against the Lakers beating them, 119-112, in LA this past Sunday.

The Kings are in that bottom rung with the Lakers. This is the Kings' first home game following a three-game road trip. The Kings have a lot of youth and new faces. They are going through an ajdustment period. They also are not used to the national spotlight as this is a rare TNT game for them.

The Kings can work as an underdog play. It's too much to expect them to win straight-up.