Sacramento Kings vs. Houston Rockets: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

Two teams with contrasting performances will clash in the NBA Cup on Wednesday morning when the Sacramento Kings host the streaking Houston Rockets. The Kings have lost six of their last seven games, while their opponents have triumphed in five of their previous six. Also, the Houston Rockets visit the Golden 1 Center, having won three consecutive games on the road, with the Kings losing their last two. As a result, the Houston Rockets are slight favorites to win a fourth straight game.

BASKETBALL: NBA Cup, group game

Where to Watch: NBA League Pass

Venue: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA

Date: 04.12.2024 06:00

After besting the Timberwolves last week, the Sacramento Kings lost two consecutive games to the Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs. Favorites to defeat Spurs, the Kings fell to a Spurs team inspired by Victor Wembanyama’s first triple-double of the season, losing 127–125. The Sacramento Kings started the game very well, shooting 42 points past the Spurs in the first quarter when they shot over 70% from the floor. The Spurs led by 17 points in the first quarter and by seven at halftime but ultimately lost the game by two points. DeMar DeRozan led the Kings with 28 points, Domantas Sabonis chipped in 25 points, and De’Aaron Fox added 23 points as defensive inadequacies hindered Sacramento, the 12th seed in the Western Conference standings. The Kings give up an average of 114 points a game.

The Houston Rockets visit Sacramento in an NBA Cup game looking for their fourth straight road win, following an exciting but gritty victory over the Conference leaders Oklahoma Thunder last Sunday. The Rockets, second in the Western Conference and 6-3 on the road this season, showed a lot of determination and dedication to pull off a 119-116 victory at Oklahoma. Coach Ime Udoka may have tried to downplay the Rockets’ performance against the Thunder. Still, it was a statement of intent to the league from the franchise in “phase 2” of their rebuilding process, including brawling with the opposition. Canadian Dillon Brooks put in a masterclass to restrict compatriot Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to 32 points. Veteran Fred VanVleet led the Rockets with a game-high 38 points as the Rockets won for the fourth time this season on less than 42% shooting from the floor.

The Sacramento Kings are priced at 2.09 underdogs on Betway, while the Houston Rockets are priced at 1,72 favorites. Total over 223.5 is 1.92 on 1xBet, with under 220 available at 2.1 odds. Alperen Sengun is priced at 1.83 to hit under 20.5 points, while Fred VanVleet, shooting over 16.5 points, is available at 1.86 odds. Read more here.