Houston Rockets vs. Sacramento Kings game preview

The Rockets wrap up their NBA Cup group stage games tonight in Sacramento

Let’s get a couple of elephants out of the way.

First, the last time the Houston Rockets played the Sacramento Kings in California’s capital, Alperen Sengun suffered a season-ending knee injury. That sounds worse than it was because Sengun avoided major structural damage and probably would have returned to the team if Houston had been able to get in contention for a play-in spot. Of course, the Kings were win #2 of the 11-game winning streak that Houston went on in March, highlighted by Jalen Green’s monstrous play. A five-game losing streak to playoff teams ended those hopes, and Sengun was told to stay home.

Second, the Rockets went on a three-game West Coast road trip about a year ago. Houston was 6-3, coming off a six-game winning streak that included a blowout win over the Los Angeles Lakers and a gritty win against the defending champion Denver Nuggets. All six of those wins came at home, and the road was an unkind mistress to the Rockets last season. The three games in California went like this:

• Los Angeles Clippers: In a tight game throughout, Houston led by 5 with 2 minutes to go. However, the Clippers closed on a 12-1 run, capped by a tiebreaking James Harden 4-point play with six seconds remaining. It was Harden’s first victory with the Clippers.
• Los Angeles Lakers: Against the same team that Houston had beaten by 34 just 11 days earlier, Houston clawed back multiple times in the fourth quarter before LeBron James got fouled with 1.2 seconds remaining in a tie game. James hit the second free throw, and that was that.
• Golden State Warriors: Houston’s forever nemesis was on a six-game losing streak, so of course Klay Thompson found his shooting stroke after an extended slump. Steph Curry dropped 32 as well, but the real Rocket killer that night was Chris Paul, who finished with 15 points, 12 assists, a couple of steals, and a game-high +/- of +12. Where was Scott Foster when we needed him? This loss didn’t have the same heartbreaking quality as the LA games, but it was frustrating nevertheless because it was against Golden State.

So as Houston starts a three-game West Coast road trip tonight, it’s important to remember that Rockets team until December 8 to win a road game. So maybe finding a way to win just one of these games would be a victory.

Tonight also marks Houston’s final group stage game of the NBA Cup. Houston already has the division wrapped up, and with a point differential of +49, will probably host a quarterfinal matchup. A win tonight means that opponent is probably the Dallas Mavericks. A loss tonight makes that matchup murkier, as the opponent could be one of Oklahoma City, Phoenix, or San Antonio. It’s also possible that Houston could face Golden State in the first round, but again some weird things would need to happen.

We’ll be in the Playback room tonight, so you should come join to watch the Rockets and talk about the game. Remember, we get a handful of VIP passes that we give out to anyone who wants to watch the game. No League Pass necessary!

Tip-off

9pm CT

How To Watch

Space City Home Network and Playback TV

Injury Report

Rockets

None

Kings

Kevin Huerter: GTD

Trey Lyles: OUT

The Line (as of this post)

SAC -1.5

Check here for updates

Looking ahead because we can

Thursday night in San Francisco against the Warriors