HOUSTON – The Sacramento Kings face a daunting challenge on Wednesday as they travel to Houston to take on the Rockets, a team currently sitting comfortably in third place in the Western Conference. The matchup, set for 8 p.m. EST, pits a struggling Kings squad against a Houston team that has consistently outperformed expectations this season.
The Rockets enter the game with a record of 35-21, having gone 20-16 against Western Conference opponents. They boast an average of 114.5 points per game and have consistently outscored their opponents by an average of 5.1 points. The Kings, in stark contrast, hold a record of 13-46 and have struggled mightily in conference play, posting a 9-30 record against Western Conference teams.
This is the fourth meeting between the two teams this season. Notably, the Kings secured a 111-98 victory in their previous encounter on January 12th, led by a 22-point performance from DeMar DeRozan. However, the Rockets have demonstrated significant improvement since then and the Kings are facing a very different Houston team this time around.
A key factor in the Rockets’ success has been the play of Kevin Durant, who is averaging 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. Jabari Smith Jr. Has also been a consistent contributor, averaging 18.6 points over his last 10 games. The Kings will need to find a way to contain Durant and limit Smith’s scoring if they hope to have any chance of upsetting the Rockets.
For the Kings, Russell Westbrook is currently leading the team in scoring, averaging 15.1 points per game along with 5.5 rebounds. Malik Monk has been a threat from beyond the arc, averaging 1.7 made three-pointers over the last 10 games. However, the Kings’ overall offensive struggles and defensive deficiencies have been a consistent problem throughout the season.
Recent form paints a clear picture of the disparity between the two teams. The Rockets are 6-4 in their last 10 games, averaging 107.3 points, 45.3 rebounds, 24.0 assists, 9.6 steals, and 6.3 blocks while shooting 46.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.4 points during that stretch. The Kings, have gone 1-9 in their last 10 games, averaging 109.3 points, 43.4 rebounds, 24.9 assists, 8.6 steals, and 5.0 blocks, but allowing a concerning 122.8 points per game to their opponents. Their shooting percentage of 43.8% further highlights their offensive struggles.
The Rockets’ ability to score consistently, coupled with their strong defensive presence, makes them a formidable opponent. They average 114.5 points per game, 6.5 fewer than the 121.0 points the Kings concede, suggesting Sacramento will have difficulty keeping pace. The Kings shoot 46.2% from the field, only slightly better than the 45.6% shooting percentage of the Rockets’ opponents, indicating a potential struggle for offensive efficiency.
Adding to the Rockets’ advantage is their home-court record of 19-7, demonstrating their ability to capitalize on the energy of their home crowd. The Kings, however, have struggled on the road, with a record of 4-26, suggesting they may find it difficult to overcome the hostile environment in Houston.
The Rockets will be without Jae’Sean Tate (knee injury) and Fred VanVleet (out for the season with an ACL tear), and Steven Adams (out for the season with an ankle injury). The Kings are facing significant injury concerns as well, with Domantas Sabonis out for the season due to a back injury. Dylan Cardwell is sidelined with an ankle injury, De’Andre Hunter is out for the season with an eye injury, Zach LaVine is out for the season with a finger injury, and Devin Carter is listed as day-to-day with a back issue. These absences will undoubtedly impact the Kings’ lineup and overall performance.
Sacramento’s struggles in close games – holding a 5-29 record in games decided by 10 points or more – suggest they may struggle to overcome adversity against a well-rounded Rockets team. The Rockets’ ability to consistently win close games, combined with their strong overall record, makes them a clear favorite in this matchup.
Wednesday’s game represents a significant challenge for the Kings, who are looking to salvage something from a disappointing season. For the Rockets, it’s an opportunity to further solidify their position in the Western Conference standings and continue their pursuit of a top playoff seed. The game promises to be a compelling clash of contrasting fortunes, with the Rockets aiming to extend their winning ways and the Kings hoping to pull off a major upset.
