Rockets Host Kings in First of Two-Part Showdown
Part 1. Hometown Heroes. A Chance.
“So you’re telling me their’s a chance!”, the famous quote from Dumb and Dumber comes to mind as the Rockets approach one of the dumbest parts of their schedule, consecutive games against the same opponent in the same building. It’s a dumb idea that began after Covid-19 changed the world. Anyways, Houston does have a chance tonight, despite playing the upstart Sacramento Kings. Their All-Star guard, De’Aaron Fox, is out for Saturday night’s matchup. Fox is Sacramento’s most clutch player, he was actually named the Clutch Player of the League in the NBA last season, the first recipient of the new award. He’s an essential part of the Kings’ core along with Domantas Sabonis. The Rockets, fresh off their first win of the season, have more than a chance tonight if they continue improving as they have been over these first four games.
Houston debuted their new City-Edition jerseys, which honor Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, earlier this week. The squad will wear the jerseys for the first time on this upcoming Wednesday, when they host LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite tough competition, the next five games are all at home for the Rockets. Houston will look to be “Hometown Heroes” and upset some of their more talented and experienced upcoming opponents. They need to take advantage of Fox’s absence tonight, and pounce on a wounded Sacramento team. The Kings are 2-2 on the season. Ironically both losses have come at the hands of the team that ended their season last year, the Golden State Warriors. Sacramento is coming off a particular heartbreaking loss in their previous game, to Golden State, as Klay Thompson hit a buzzer-beater to knock off the Kings.
Coming off a tough loss, Sacramento will be hungry tonight. The Rockets need to exceed the Kings’ hunger, and protect home-court in the first of two straight against the the Kings. Domantas Sabonis will be the biggest threat for the Kings, and expect sharpshooter Keegan Murray to play well, as he has in his young career against Houston. If the Rockets can contain these two players from having monster games, they should win this matchup. The next five games are brutal for Houston, but minus De’Aaron Fox this evening gives the Rockets their best opportunity… and a real honest chance at a victory tonight.
Toyota Center: Houston Texas
Jersey Colors:
Sacramento Kings (2-2): White
Houston Rockets (1-3): Black
Tip-Off: 7:00 PM CT
TV: Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass