Kings vs. Rockets Preview: Houston To Open Two-Game Series Against Sacramento
HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets (13-40) will begin a two-game home series against the Sacramento Kings (29-23) Monday night inside the Toyota Center.
Kevin Porter Jr. will miss his 13th consecutive game due to a left foot contusion he sustained against the Kings on Jan. 11.
He collided with teammate Jae'Sean Tate and Kings forward Malik Monk late in the first quarter. Porter described the injury as a "freakish accident" while stating that he doesn't believe Monk is a dirty player.
"My body is usually pretty good at bouncing back from injuries," Porter said. "I thought I would have been back faster than this. But I stay ready. I'll be ready when it is time."
The Rockets are coming off their most embarrassing loss of the season. A slow start inside Paycom Center led to the Rockets falling 153-121 to the Oklahoma City Thunder Saturday night.
The emergence of TyTy Washington Jr. was the only positive for Houston. The rookie prospect from Kentucky came off the bench and scored a career-high 20 points on 9-of-16 shooting.
Coach Stephen Silas has spoken on several occasions about players taking advantage of new opportunities due to Porter's and Jalen Green's injuries. But Washington's play proved he deserves a consistent rotational spot moving forward.
"He was aggressive," Silas said. "He got downhill and was able to get to his floaters. He was able to make plays for his teammates. He did a good job out there."
Rockets Injury Report:
- Kevin Porter Jr. (left foot contusion) OUT
- Garrison Mathews (left toe soreness) QUESTIONABLE
Sacramento Kings Injury Report:
- N/A
Three things to watch:
Taking advantage of tired legs:
The Kings are entering Houston on the second night of a back-to-back. They played in Sacramento Sunday night and fell 136-104 to the New Orleans Pelicans. The Kings are 3-4 in the second game of back-to-backs.
Slowing down the top-scoring team in the league:
The Kings are arguably the best-scoring team in the league. They are averaging a league-best 118.9 points this season.
In the two games played against the Kings in January, Sacramento scored an average of 137.0 points. The Kings dominated the Rockets during the second half. They averaged 33.7 second-half points while outscoring Houston by 34 points.
Mr. Clutch De'Aaron Fox:
If the Rockets find themselves in a close game entering the fourth quarter, the top priority should be containing De'Aaron Fox. Fox is in the midst of a career year averaging 24.3 points. But the Houston native has established himself as one of the best clutch players in the league.
He leads the league in total clutch points scored with 119. Fox has scored 10 or more points in the final frame in 16 games this season, ranking fifth in the NBA. On Jan. 3, Fox led the Kings to a 117-115 victory over the Utah Jazz. He scored a career-best 22 points in the fourth quarter.
You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24
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