Rockets vs. Kings game preview: Houston goes for a winning streak

Let’s run it back.

After picking up their first win of the 2020-21 season, the Rockets look to ring in the new year with a winning streak.

Usually in home-and-home series, the teams split because the team that loses the first game is more desperate to win the second game. This isn’t a home-and-home in the traditional sense, but the logic should still hold. The Rockets were more desperate to win their first game of the season on Thursday and were able to do so. How will they play now with that monkey off their back?

Houston and Sacramento were fairly even along most stats in the first matchup. Neither defense could stop the other offense, and if that holds you can expect another high-scoring affair. The Rockets in particular have struggled defensively in their three games. Part of that is due to missing key rotation pieces in the first two contests. That and a lack of practice time together has led to plenty of breakdowns. No one looks at this roster and expects a top 5 defense, but a decent defensive efficiency should not be an unreasonable ask.

Don’t forget that there’s a weird tip-off time today.

Tip-off is at 4pm CT on AT&T SportsNet Southwest and NBA TV