Sacramento Kings vs Houston Rockets Prediction: The Kings are big favorites

NBA is on and we have reached the midway point of the Regular Season which is usually the time when we catch a lot of trades. With the way things are going, records are only going to get broken quicker in a season where records have been shattering at a quick rate. Anyway, in this game, the Sacramento Kings are going to take on the Houston Rockets in a classic Western Conference battle. 

The Kings enter the game after defeating the Magic 136:111 as Harrison Barnes had a 30 points night. The win broke a two-game losing streak and the Kings have been a bit wayward at home. The Kings have had a solid season compared to the last few seasons as they have won 21 and have lost 18 games. The problem with the Kings has been their lack of defense which emanates from their playing style of running up and down and getting shots off quickly.

De’Aaron Fox has been the leading scorer again whereas Domantas Sabonis has been both an amazing rebounder and inside scorer who has provided efficiency in the middle. Kevin Huerter has been an incredible shooter and has upped the Kings’ scoring. Keegan Murray and Harrison Barnes have been stabilizing forces as the wings but the team hasn’t gotten much out of their bench apart from Malik Monk. The Kings need to fix their defense soon or their record will suffer further.

The Rockets come into this game after losing 96:104 against the Minnesota Timberwolves despite a 25 points performance by Kevin Porter Jr. This was the Rockets’ seventh straight loss and they have lost 12 of their last 13 games. The Rockets have lost 30 and won just 10 games which is barely surprising for a team that has been rebuilding. This means that the Rockets are probably going to end up with a top-three draft pick and the race to Victor Wembanyama is on.

The Guard positions look amazing as both Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr can end up becoming a duo that averages 40+ combined. The Frontline has rookie Jabari Smith Jr. who has offensive shortcomings but his defense is promising and he is an improving rebounder. Alperen Sengun is a brilliant young Center who has the potential to average a double-double. Tari Eason has shown a lot of promise too and he can develop incredible defensive tenacity as a versatile Forward.

• Rockets: No injuries to report;
• Kings: No injuries to report.

• Expected Leading Scorers: De’Aaron Fox(27-34 Points), Jalen Green(24-31 Points);
• Expected Leading Rebounders: Domantas Sabonis(12-14 Rebounds), Alperen Sengun(10-13 Rebounds);
• Expected Leading Playmakers: De’Aaron Fox(8-10 Assists), Kevin Porter Jr.(5-7 Assists).

The Kings haven’t exactly been clinical at home but their potential to become a top-six team is incredible. Their chances are going to take a big boost considering they are going to face a struggling Rockets team and this is a game they have to win to get their campaign on track. Offensively, the Kings are better than the Rockets whereas it is the defensive end where the Rockets are equally good if not better. All in all, I see the Kings come up with a big win and predict a 130:117 scoreline in favor of the Kings.