Houston Rockets vs. Sacramento Kings game preview

Tonight marks the end of Houston’s longest remaining road trip of the season. It comes against the red hot Sacramento Kings, winners of three straight overall and seven straight at home. The Kings are tied in the loss column with the Clippers for eighth in the Western Conference.

The Kings aren’t so much knocking on the postseason door as they are banging on it.

Obviously De’Aaron Fox will grab the most headlines among the Kings youth movement. However, the shifty point guard isn’t the only player to make an impression this season. Marvin Bagley III is going to be a really good player and he’s already throwing down 180 degree alley-oops. Bogdan Bogdanovic isn’t afraid to shoot and gave us the best reaction video of the year.

Also, we need to talk about Buddy Hield. It was a couple of years ago now when we were all making fun of Vivek Ranadive for making Hield the centerpiece of the DeMarcus Cousins trade for the Kings because he saw similarities to Steph Curry. Now, at the age of 26, Hield is averaging 20 points on 46% shooting from deep. His game is closer to Klay Thompson’s on offense, but either way the dude is absolutely an elite shooter and everyone has to know where he is when Houston is on defense.

Finally, Willie Cauley-Stein figures to have a big game because he’s an athletic big and Houston has zero answer for that right now.

This is a big game for both teams, but I think Sacramento will care just a little bit more. They are the hotter team and are playing at home.

Tip-off is at 9pm CT