Sacramento Kings vs Houston Rockets Picks and Predictions January 16th 2025

Sacramento Kings vs Houston Rockets January 16th 2025

At 10:00 ET, the Sacramento Kings (-164) will host the Houston Rockets (+139) in a Western Conference matchup. The Kings are favored by 3.5 points and the over/under line is set at 226.5.

This game will be played at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento and can be seen on TNT. The Rockets are currently on a five-game win streak and are 2nd in the Western Conference with a record of 27-12. The Kings are 9th in the West at 20-20.

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Rockets vs. Kings Key Information

Houston improved to 27-12 on the season with a 128-108 win over the Nuggets on Wednesday. The Rockets, who were -5.5 favorites, covered the spread, and the game’s total of 236 points went over the 224.5-point line.

Houston took control in the 2nd quarter, outscoring Denver 41-25. The teams played evenly in the 3rd quarter, but the Rockets’ 102-81 lead heading into the 4th allowed them to withstand a slight 27-26 edge by the Nuggets in the final period.

Jalen Green’s 34-point performance, including 15 in the 2nd quarter and 13 in the 3rd, led the Rockets to a 128-108 win over the Nuggets. Green hit 6 threes at 60% efficiency, finishing with a 62.5% overall shooting percentage. Alperen Sengun added 10 of his 20 points in the 3rd quarter, while Fred VanVleet and Cam Whitmore each contributed 16 points.

Houston connected on 17 threes, shooting 44.7% from beyond the arc and 52.1% overall. VanVleet made 4 threes at 44.4%, and added 8 assists, matching Sengun’s assist total.

Despite giving up 108 points, the Rockets’ defense did enough to secure the win over the Nuggets. They allowed 23 points in the 1st quarter and 25 in the 2nd, but Denver put up 33 in the 3rd. Houston gave up 27 points in the 4th.

The Rockets sent the Nuggets to the line 21 times, where they hit 14 free throws. Houston also recorded 14 steals and 6 blocks.

The Kings fell to 20-20 on the season after a 130-115 road loss to the Bucks on Tuesday. Sacramento, who entered the game as +2 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 245, surpassing the pre-game line of 227.5 by 17.5 points.

Milwaukee took control early, going on a 14-0 run to stretch the score from 26-17 to 40-17. The Kings battled back, playing the Bucks evenly in the 2nd quarter (28-28) and slightly outscoring them in the 3rd (28-27) and 4th (33-28) quarters, but they couldn’t overcome the 102-82 deficit heading into the final period.

DeMar DeRozan led the Kings with 28 points and 6 rebounds in their 130-115 loss to the Bucks, shooting 50% from the field and hitting 2 threes at a 50% clip. De’Aaron Fox added 20 points, despite shooting just 39.1%, and contributed 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Keon Ellis chipped in 18 points, knocking down 5 threes at 62.5% efficiency.

The Kings shot 44.2% from the field, but connected on 17 threes at a rate of 40.5%. DeRozan scored 14 points in the 2nd quarter, while Ellis added 9 points in the 4th.

The Kings struggled defensively in the 1st quarter, giving up 47 points, but they tightened up after that, allowing 28 points in the 2nd, 27 in the 3rd, and 28 in the 4th. Overall, they allowed the Bucks to shoot 49% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Kings gave up 17 threes on 37% shooting. They also sent the Bucks to the line 18 times, where they hit 15 free throws. Sacramento recorded 36 defensive rebounds, allowed 11 offensive boards, and finished with 4 steals and 5 blocks.

For today’s matchup we are recommending to take the Kings to secure the win, with an expected final score of 137-104. When it comes to the spread, we believe they’ll cover at -3.5.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 226.5 and our model has the Rockets and Kings finishing with a combined 241 points. Our pick is to take the over.

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Red-Hot Kings and Rockets Set for Western Conference Showdown

Two of the hottest teams in the Western Conference will collide Thursday night when the Houston Rockets visit the Sacramento Kings in a rematch of their NBA Cup battle from last month.

Sacramento took the first meeting 120-111 at home on Dec. 3, powered by Domantas Sabonis (27 points) and De’Aaron Fox (22 points). However, both teams have evolved significantly since that early-season matchup.

Kings’ Turnaround Under Christie

After that win, the Kings (24-16) hit a rough patch, dropping five straight and sinking to last place in the Pacific Division. That slump led to head coach Mike Brown being fired on Dec. 27, with Doug Christie stepping in as interim coach.

The coaching change sparked a resurgence in last year’s 46-win squad, with Sacramento winning seven of eight before a 130-115 loss at Milwaukee on Tuesday. The Kings have yet to lose at home under Christie, going 4-0 in Golden 1 Center.

Christie has received an outpouring of support from his former teammates during his transition into the head role.

“Mike (Bibby) popped in the other day when we were playing Miami,” Christie said. “(Chris Webber) has texted me numerous times. Bobby (Jackson) has texted me numerous times. Peja (Stojakovic) and Vlade (Divac) … It’s nothing but love. We all understand what I’m here to do. It’s about our team, our city, and our organization.”

Sacramento aims not just to return to the playoffs but to win a series for the first time since 2004—when Christie was still a player.

Rockets’ Rise Fueled by Green & Thompson

Meanwhile, Houston (26-12) has taken the West by storm. The Rockets have won five straight and 10 of their past 13, surging to the second-best record in the conference.

The latest statement came Wednesday night, when Houston stunned defending champion Denver 128-108 on the road.

Jalen Green was electric against the Nuggets, pouring in 34 points, marking his sixth consecutive game with 27 or more. He also had 28 in the Rockets’ previous loss at Sacramento.

Green’s emergence has been complemented by Amen Thompson, a Northern California native from San Leandro, who has thrived on the defensive end while also contributing 16.6 points, 12 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game over the past five games.

Thompson’s rivalry with Green has added an intriguing dynamic to Houston’s rise.

“You see what Jalen did tonight? Unguardable,” Thompson said after Green’s 42-point explosion in Monday’s win over Memphis. “Unless it’s me. You can tell him that.”

Thompson had just three points in the Rockets’ previous loss to Sacramento, but his evolution since then has made Houston even more dangerous heading into Thursday’s battle.

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Key Matchups to Watch

• Jalen Green vs. De’Aaron Fox: Two of the West’s best scoring guards will go head-to-head in a battle of speed and shot-making.
• Domantas Sabonis vs. Alperen Sengun: Two of the best passing big men in the league will look to control the paint and facilitate offense.
• Amen Thompson’s Defense on Green: Can Thompson slow down his scorching-hot teammate?

Final Outlook

Both teams have dramatically improved since their first meeting, making this one of the most compelling matchups in the West. The Kings will look to stay unbeaten at home under Christie, while the Rockets aim to extend their winning streak and solidify their status as a legitimate contender.

With high-powered offenses, dynamic young stars, and playoff aspirations on the line, this one has all the makings of a must-watch showdown.