The Smoothie King Center was rocking on Thursday night as the New Orleans Pelicans put together a convincing 132-120 victory over the visiting Sacramento Kings. It was a statement win for New Orleans early in the 2026-27 NBA season, and XO Sports’ AI prediction model was right there with them, correctly calling the Pelicans to cover on the winning side of this contest.
How the Game Unfolded
New Orleans came out with energy and purpose, building enough of a cushion throughout the game to hold off any Sacramento rally attempts. The Kings, playing on the road, showed flashes of their offensive firepower and managed to put up 120 points, but the Pelicans were simply a step ahead all night. The final margin of 12 points tells a story of a home team that controlled the pace and never really let Sacramento settle into a comfortable rhythm.
Sacramento’s offense had its moments, but New Orleans’ defense and home-court advantage proved to be the deciding factors. The Pelicans’ 132-point output showed plenty of firepower of their own, and fans inside the arena got their money’s worth from tip-off to the final buzzer.
XO Sports Called It: Pelicans Win
Before tip-off, XO Sports’ AI model locked in the New Orleans Pelicans as its pick to win this game. With a calculated win probability of 56.14% for the home side, the model leaned toward New Orleans and got it right. The predicted scores of Pelicans 118, Kings 117 pointed to a much tighter finish than what we actually saw, but the directional call was spot on. Sometimes the margin surprises everyone, including the model, but identifying the correct winner is ultimately what matters most.
That is exactly what XO Sports delivered here. The AI correctly identified that the Pelicans had enough at home to get the job done, and New Orleans backed it up in convincing fashion.
A Look at the Edge Pick
XO Sports also had an Edge Pick active for this game. The model flagged Sacramento Kings +5.5 PTS at -102 American odds, giving it a probability of roughly 54.9%. The real-world outcome saw New Orleans win by 12, which pushed Sacramento well outside the spread. The Edge Pick landed as a loss on the night. Not every supplemental pick lands, and that is simply part of the game. The bigger picture here remains the correct match winner call, which is where XO Sports delivered.
What This Means Going Forward
For the Pelicans, this is an encouraging early-season result. New Orleans looks like a team with genuine aspirations in a competitive Western Conference, and home games at the Smoothie King Center could be a real advantage as the schedule intensifies. If they can replicate this kind of performance, they will be a team that nobody in the West wants to visit come playoff time.
For Sacramento, this road loss is a reminder that the Kings still have work to do away from home. Their offensive numbers were not embarrassing, but giving up 132 points is not a formula for success over an 82-game season. Expect the Kings to look at their defensive rotations and make adjustments in the coming weeks.
Stay Ahead of the Game with XO Sports
Whether it is picking match winners, breaking down spreads, or surfacing Edge Picks with real probability data behind them, XO Sports is built to give you an analytical edge every single night. The AI model called the right side here and continues to build a track record worth paying attention to. Head over to XO Sports now and use the platform to power your own predictions before the next tip-off. With games happening every night across the NBA schedule, there is never a shortage of opportunities to put smart analysis to work.
Next up, keep an eye on both of these franchises as they look to establish their identities early in the season. The Kings will want to respond quickly to avoid falling into an early hole in the standings, while the Pelicans will be looking to stack wins and build momentum. XO Sports will be tracking every matchup, running the numbers, and delivering predictions so you are always informed before the ball goes up.