Rockets vs. Kings game preview: Houston looks to pick up first win against surging Sacramento

The Houston Rockets finally get back three members of their rotation tonight when they take on the red-hot Sacramento Kings in a two-game set tonight and Saturday. Both games will be in Houston at the Toyota Center as the league is pushing to reduce overall travel during the COVID-shortened NBA season.

The Kings have already played one of these “double home” series against the Phoenix Suns, splitting the games against Chris Paul’s new squad. Their other two games both came against the Denver Nuggets. Those three wins against teams with playoff (and championship in Denver’s case) aspirations have vaulted the Kings to the top of the West and has their fanbase suddenly thinking about the playoffs themselves.

The good news for Houston is the return of John Wall, Eric Gordon, and DeMarcus Cousins. That gives Stephen Silas ten rotation players to use, and that number will increase to eleven when Ben McLemore is eligible to return, possibly Saturday.

The Kings have most of the same pieces from last season, with the exception of Bogdan Bogdanovic (signed in restricted free agency with the Atlanta Hawks), Harry Giles III (Blazers), and Kent Bazemore (Warriors). The key additions are Hassan Whiteside and draft picks Tyrese Haliburton, Robert Woodard, and Jahmi’us Ramsey (who attended a fine college).

After starting 0-2, this is a must-win for Houston. They would really like to sweep this two-game set, but for now the focus should be on getting Silas his first career victory.

Tip-off is at 6pm CT on AT&T SportsNet Southwest