SACRAMENTO KINGS

Preview: Kings host Houston, look to start new winning streak

Jan 16, 2025, 1:38 PM | Updated: 1:43 pm

The end of one winning streak marks the potential beginning of another. That’s the reality for the Sacramento Kings as they host the Houston Rockets on national TV Thursday night in Golden 1 Center.

Sacramento will be playing their first home back from a 2-1 trip that ended with a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks that halted their seven-game streak. Meanwhile, the Rockets have also been rolling, having won their last five and 10 of the previous 13 matchups.

But Houston will be playing their second night of a back-to-back after defeating the Nuggets in Denver 128-108 Wednesday night.

The rest advantage should play to Sacramento’s benefit, and it’s something that guard Keon Ellis emphasized at Thursday morning’s shootaround.

“They’re coming off of a back-to-back, so want to take advantage of those things that you get throughout a season,” he said.

Coming into their second showdown of the season, Jordan McLaughlin (personal reasons) is expected to be unavailable, while Malik Monk (right groin soreness) is probable, and rookie Devin Carter (left shoulder soreness) is questionable. Both were seen participating in their morning shootaround.

Houston will be without Jabari Smith Jr. (left hand) and Fred VanVleet (personal reason), with Tari Eason’s (lower leg) availability considered questionable.

Given both team’s recent success, it should make for an interesting matchup on TNT. The two sides met once earlier this season as part of the NBA Cup action, where the Kings emerged with a 120-111 victory in Golden 1 Center thanks to a 42-point third quarter.

During the Rockets’ current stretch of 10 wins in 13 games, they’re third in offensive rating (119.4) and tenth in defensive rating (111.8), a bit atypical from their usual defensive identity.

One of their clear advantages has come on the offensive glass, pulling down 15.2 offensive rebounds per game, which leads the NBA during that span.

It was an issue in the previous Kings/Rockets matchup from early December as well, where Houston managed 18 offensive rebounds.

“(Houston is) an aggressive team,” Keegan Murray said at shootaround. They came in here last time and got (18) offensive rebounds on us. So, if we can limit their second-chance opportunities, I think we have a good shot. They’re playing at a high level right now.”

Luckily for the Kings, defensive rebounding has been one of their recent strengths, led by the NBA’s leading rebounder, Domantas Sabonis. During their win streak, they led the NBA in defensive rebounding percentage (77.9 percent).

Known for their scrappiness, the Ime Udoka-led Rockets like to muck up games and play a physical brand of basketball. They’re not above talking some trash in the process either.

Ime Udoka and Alperen Sengun were ejected from their last game in Golden 1 Center. Tari Eason was also fined afterward for an interaction with fans while heading into the opposing locker room tunnel.

“We know they’re going to play hard,” Ellis said. “It was a hard fought game last time. They’re real energetic, a good defensive team.”

“We know we have to bring it from the jump. They’re real young so they’re going to have energy, but they’re coming off of a back to back so want to take advantage of those things that you get throughout a season. Just try to stick to our gameplan and the things that have been helping throughout the win streak.”

Meanwhile, Sacramento’s recent key to success has been their defensive growth, posting the third-best defensive rating (106.5) during their recently concluded seven-game streak.

It fights new interim head coach Doug Chrsitie’s style when he played, but also what he’s now been preaching from the first chair on the sidelines. Ellis has gotten multiple starts amid injuries to random typical starters, which could be the case again on Thursday with Monk’s status in question.

Murray credited their growth on that end to “just being aggressive.”

“Just trying to get our hands on the ball and just trying to figure out how we can get deflections and get transition points when we get those deflections,” he said. “I think that’s just been our point of emphasis and it’s helped us, especially in those seven games.”

When breakdowns took place, they were covering for one another and flying around the court with great energy and intention when doing so.

That didn’t show its face in Milwaukee, where they allowed 130 points, but the Rockets don’t have a downhill force comparable to two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

It’s been Jalen Green leading their team in scoring, averaging 21.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.6 rebounds on 43.2 percent from the field and 35.4 percent from three. He’s also coming off a 34-point performance last night in Denver and scored 28 against Sacramento earlier this season.

He’s given the Kings fits in the past, at least until they start to send double teams. It’ll be interesting to see if they reach the point of needing to do so Thursday night, and if they do, how long they take to adjust the gameplan.

It’s a battle between two hotter teams in the NBA, with both sides improving their once-weaknesses. Sacramento’s defensive growth has been apparent, while Houston has been finding ways to remain efficient in scoring the ball.

Whoever can control the glass and be comfortable dealing with physicality should have decent change to leave Golden 1 Center with a victory.

Sacramento Kings vs. Milwaukee Bucks Info

When: 7:00 PM PT

Where: Golden 1 Center – Sacramento, CA

TV: NBA on TNT

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM – Coverage starts at 2:00 PM PDT on The Drive Guys

Line: Kings -4.5, O/U 226.5

Be sure to tune in right here on Sactown Sports 1140 for all of your Kings vs. Grizzlies coverage, beginning at 2:00 PM PST on The Drive Guys before a 7:00 PM PST tip-off from downtown Sacramento.

Kings vs. Bucks Injury Report

Sacramento

  • Malik Monk – PROBABLE (Right Groin Soreness)
  • Devin Carter – QUESTIONABLE (left shoulder soreness)
  • Jordan McLaughlin – OUT (personal reasons)
  • Isaiah Crawford – OUT (G-League)
  • Mason Jones – OUT (G-League)

Houston

  • Fred VanVleet – OUT (personal reasons)
  • Jock Landale –  OUT (personal reasons)
  • Jabari Smith Jr. – OUT (left metacarpal)
  • Tari Eason – QUESTIONABLE (left leg)
  • Dante N’Faly – OUT (G-League)
  • Jack McVeigh  – OUT (G-League)

Sacramento Kings 2024-25 Schedule

  • Thursday, January 16th – vs. Houston Rockets – 7:00 PM PT
  • Sunday, January 19th – vs. Washington Wizards – 6:00 PM PT
  • Wednesday, January 22nd – vs. Golden State Warriors – 7:00 PM PT
  • Thursday, January 23rd – @ Denver Nuggets – 6:00 PM PT
  • Saturday, January 25th – @ New York Knicks – 4:30 PM PT

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