The Sacramento Kings (14-22) enter Thursday’s game with 11 losses in their last 13 game and ranking dead last among the NBA’s 30 teams in defensive rating. The Houston Rockets (11-23), however, are fourth-to-last on offense, and they’ve lost 13 consecutive games — representing the longest losing streak for the franchise in more than 20 years.
In a weakness-on-weakness battle between two of the bottom three teams in the Western Conference, something has to give.
Both sides will enter the game relatively rested, since it’s the first game for both teams out of the NBA’s 2020-21 All-Star break. Neither has played in more than a week, which has allowed many injuries to heal and potentially could help both teams to refocus after their recent slides.
The bad news for the Rockets is that their most significant injury absence in recent weeks still isn’t ready. Rising star Christian Wood (right ankle sprain) has resumed basketball activities, but the big man is still expected to miss his 14th consecutive game. The Rockets are 0-13 since his Feb. 4 injury, all after going 7-1 in the eight previous games.
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The lines, courtesy of BetMGM
- Point spread: Rockets +4.5 (-110), Kings -4.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Rockets +160/Kings -190
- Over-under: 227.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
- Player O/U Scoring Props: De’Aaron Fox 25.5 (-110 O, -115 U), Buddy Hield 18.5 (-110 O, -115 U), Harrison Barnes 17.5 (+100 O, -125 U); Rockets TBD
Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IN, MI, NV, NJ, PA, TN, and WV at BetMGM.
Thursday’s probable starters for the Kings are De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes, Martin Bagley III, and Richaun Holmes. Given the injuries, Stephen Silas is expected to counter with John Wall, Victor Oladipo, Jae’Sean Tate, PJ Tucker and Justin Patton for the Rockets.
In addition to Wood’s absence, Houston will be without at least one key reserve, with Danuel House Jr. (right knee contusion) listed as out. Eric Gordon (left knee soreness) is questionable.
Advice and prediction
The Rockets do have at least some reinforcements coming out of the All-Star break, with second-year guard Kevin Porter Jr. and rookie forward KJ Martin both recalled from Houston’s G League affiliate. They will also have another newcomer in rookie forward Anthony Lamb, who is replacing Mason Jones as one of Houston’s two-way players.
Those additions could provide a spark for the Rockets, who did go 2-0 versus Sacramento earlier in the season. But without Wood, it’s hard to see how they score enough points over 48 minutes — especially on the road — to keep up with one of the NBA’s top 10 offenses by most metrics.
Prediction: 117-111, Kings
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
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