Rockets Visit Sacramento, Prepped to Even Up Kings
Top 50. Contesting Shooters. Turning the Page.
“I think people are just mad with how he’s mastered the game,” Blazers guard C.J. McCollum perked about James Harden on his podcast Monday. And McCollum has a point. Just another NBA player pointing out the Beard’s excellence, as fans and media outlets nationwide continue to down Harden in hate with every passing attempt. Tonight, Harden’s Rockets hit Sacramento for stop #3 on their 4-game road-trip. In the first matchup in Houston, the Kings beat the Rockets at the buzzer, on a deep game-winning three by Njemanica Bjelica. It’s still the most heartbreaking loss of the season for the Beard and company. Since heartbreak in Houston two weeks ago, these teams are trending in different directions. The Rockets roll into Sacramento on a groove. Houston shoots for four straight against a Kings team that has lost three games in a row. Russell Westbrook has evolved into the player Houston hoped to see. Brodie’s been masterful in tweaking aspects of his playing style to fit Coach Mike D’Antoni’s offensive system. After Houston’s last game, the Rockets now have two of the top 50 scorers in NBA history. Harden currently sits in the 45th spot, and Westbrook moved into the 50th spot after the win in Phoenix. ’Tis the season of duos in the NBA this year. Kawhi and PG13. LeBron and AD. But right now, no duo’s playing at a higher level than the Beard and Brodie.
The childhood buddies are both averaging over 30 points (40 for Harden, of course) and shooting at least 50% from the floor. And the last time the Rockets lost when both Harden and Westbrook played? To these same Kings, at Toyota Center, two weeks ago, a soul draining loss at the buzzer. Houston’s superstar duo will look to avenge early season heartbreak with a victory to keep the winning streak alive. It won’t be easy. It’s the last game before Christmas for the Rockets, and it won’t be bringing Houston any gifts. Harden and the squad are going to have to earn the W tonight, against a Sacramento team with some young talent back on the court.
One of the reasons the first game against the Kings was so heartbreaking for Houston, other than losing to a bad team at home, was Sacramento’s young starts De’Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley were nursing injuries. Fox and Bagley are back in action, and have been slowly eased back into action for the Kings. This duo gives Sacramento added talent and depth. If the Rockets fall asleep, it could be enough of an addition to get another victory over Houston. But it appears the Rockets have turned the page, and are putting their bad habits (mainly) to rest, or so it seems.
Tonight will be a true test to see if Houston can win a game they’re supposed to, without stress. The Rockets are the much better team, and should win easily. But, just when it looks like Houston’s turned the page, they digress, and play down to their competition. The key to tonight’s game will be closing out on open shooters. De’Aaron Fox is one of the fastest point guards in the NBA. Fox’s speed creates a plethora of open threes for Sacramento’s various array of snipers: Buddy Hield, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Harrison Barnes and (last but NOT least)… Nemanja Bjelica. Bagley’s post presence will also create more open permitter opportunities for Sac-Town’s snipers. Monday’s game features two of the top five contested shooters in the league. Buddy Hield leads with 240 contested shots, and James Harden is fifth on the list, at 219 contested shots hoisted. The Beard’s able to shake his defender, thus creating more open opportunities for himself. Hield, meanwhile, is more of a catch-and-shoot gunslinger. But both guys have earned the respect of the defense, thus all the contests on shots from (mostly) helpless defenders. Houston needs to keep an eye on Hield, and Sacramento’s arsenal of perimeter threats. If the Kings knock down a few in a row, get their crowd cheering, then it could be a long night at the Golden 1 Center. But don’t expect to hear many cheers in the crowd tonight. The most-hated man in professional sports rolls into town. And no one’s mastered the game like James Harden. Sacramento… prepare to be mad.
Golden 1 Center: Sacramento, California
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (20-9): Black
Sacramento Kings (12-17): Red
TV: 9 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW