Golden State Warriors may have won four less regular season games, and finished sixth in the West as opposed to t..."/> Golden State Warriors may have won four less regular season games, and finished sixth in the West as opposed to t..."/>
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ESPN experts make bold predictions on Golden State Warriors-Sacramento Kings series

By Peter O'Keefe

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 13: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings and Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors look on during the game at Golden 1 Center on November 13, 2022 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 13: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings and Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors look on during the game at Golden 1 Center on November 13, 2022 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors may have won four less regular season games, and finished sixth in the West as opposed to third, but that hasn’t prevented them from being a considerable favorite to beat the Sacramento Kings in the first-round of the NBA playoffs.

Many believe that Golden State’s playoff experience, where they’ve won four championships in the last eight years, will beat out a Sacramento team that’s been far more consistent over the course of this regular season.

ESPN experts have made a bold collective prediction that the Golden State Warriors are clear favorites to defeat the Sacramento Kings.

The Warriors may be favorites with the bookmakers, but the collective prediction of ESPN experts offers an even starker perspective ahead of the series. 17 writers/reporters were tasked with picking who they believe would come out of the first-round, with 15 believing the sixth-seed Warriors will take out their high-seeded opponent.

Will Stephen Curry be able to lift the Golden State Warriors to another deep playoff run? (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Will Stephen Curry be able to lift the Golden State Warriors to another deep playoff run? (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Bobby Marks and Jerry Bembry were the two experts who hold faith in Sacramento continuing their incredible season, believing they’ll win the series in six and seven games respectively. Marks’ prediction would mean the Kings would close out the series at Chase Center where the Warriors are 33-8 this season.

The same could be said for four experts who think Golden State will win a Game 7 in Sacramento, that despite the defending champions finishing the regular season 11-30 on the road, ranked 27th in the league.

The remaining 11 experts believe the Warriors will win a road game earlier on, then close it out at Chase Center in a Game 6. No one is predicting either team to dominate and win the series in four or five games.

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Sacramento fans will be hoping the experts are as wrong as they were in the Miami Heat-Atlanta Hawks play-in game, with the visitors securing a surprise win after all 17 picked the Heat. The Kings-Warriors series kicks off at Golden 1 Center on Saturday at 5:30 PT.

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