In a surprising turn of events, the New Orleans Pelicans find themselves as home underdogs in their upcoming matchup against the Sacramento Kings. Despite the absence of star player Zion Williamson, the Pelicans have a strong track record against the Kings this season, winning all five of their previous matchups with an impressive average margin of victory of 19.5 points per game.

The Kings, on the other hand, have only managed to keep one of their encounters with the Pelicans within single digits, suffering a five-point loss back in November. In their most recent clash just eight days ago, the Pelicans dominated the Kings, winning by 12 points. Their superior halfcourt offensive rating of 121.1 greatly overshadowed the Kings' rating of 103.5.

Interestingly, the market seems to be overvaluing Williamson's impact on the Pelicans. This season, Williamson has had his least efficient shooting performance, as evidenced by his True Shooting Percentage. Additionally, his Box Plus/Minus rating is at its lowest since his rookie year. Surprisingly, the Pelicans have actually performed better in terms of net rating when Williamson is off the court, boasting a +7.3 rating compared to +2.5 with him on.

While Williamson is undoubtedly a great player, his absence should not diminish the Pelicans' chances of success against the Kings. The market appears to be overreacting to the Kings' recent blowout win over a weaker Warriors team. The Pelicans, with their formidable lineup, present a much tougher challenge for the Kings.

One player to watch out for in this matchup is Herb Jones, who is expected to do a commendable job in limiting the impact of the Kings' leading scorer, De'Aaron Fox. The Pelicans will look to force other players on the Kings' roster to step up and make plays.

In conclusion, despite being labeled as underdogs, the Pelicans have proved their dominance over the Kings this season. With Williamson's absence not greatly affecting their performance, the Pelicans are determined to defy the odds and secure a victory on their home court. Fans and bettors are advised to trust the Pelicans as they embark on this intense battle against the Kings.